The iWatch

Next month sees the beginning of sales for Apple’s iWatch. The claim is that the watch is able to keep accurate time within 50 milliseconds of the definitive global time standard. Of course, however, it wouldn’t be an Apple product without a whole slew of bells and whistles as well though.

First, there is the visual. Users can customize the watch’s face to present time in a more personalized way, in line with their life and schedule. Second, communication is facilitated. And there is a physical sensation one experiences when a message comes in – like a gentle tap. One can also connect to their friends spontaneously with a tap, sketch or even a heartbeat!

One is alerted by three rings on the activity app to show one’s daily progress and motivates them to get up and move around! As an advanced sports watch it gives the user real-time stats for most popular workouts too.

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Be My Valentine? Take This Breath Test First

valentinesThere are a bunch of new and interesting gadgets that have arrived just in time for Valentine’s Day – the holiday of lovers. One of these is the breath test. Marketed as the Mint Breathometer, those looking for love just blow into it and are told by the Mint how many “volatile sulphur compounds” are currently housed in their mouth. A message is then sent to the smartphone indicating whether or not a mint is needed before a kiss is attempted. It is quite a steal at £99.

But one need not worry if the Mint Breathometer deems one “unkissable.” Thanks to the Japanese company Aldebaran Robotics, Pepper is a cool little guy featuring large blue eyes and is “all man.” A little pricey though, retailing at £1,120, one might be better off with some oral care and a visit to the hygienist to pass the Mint Breathometer test. Although this little guy is kinda cool, and will for sure do more than the real thing, laughing when you laugh, cheering you p with you frown. Now, how much would it cost to teach a real boyfriend all of that?

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The E-Future of Deodorant

ClickStick is a deodorant with a difference – it is electronic. The first of its kind, it is an environmentally-friendly gadget with a refillable applicator. There is a button on it that, when pressed by the user, pushes out the same amount of deodorant on every use (avoiding under- or over-usage and becoming a very customized device).

Designed by Princeton University PhD Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering grad students Gilad Arwatz and Carla Bahri, the idea came about as the two felt that there had to be “a better way than turning the archaic knob that always reminded me of dial phones and old car windows.”

Another way of helping to preserve the environment is by ordering the “Green Green” reward featuring a refillable container and refill pouches.  This reduces up to 90% plastic waste.

They discovered and invented one. With the LED built in light for personalized color, a smartphone connection to remind one to keep themselves fresh daily and a score saving of how much plastic is no longer being wasted with the old applicators, ClickStick seems to potentially be the E-future of deodorant.

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Gadgets to Keep Out the Winter Chills

igloveAs the winter months begin, figuring out a way to stay warm is crucial. Today, just like there are gadgets for everything else, so there are ones to keep warm.

First, there is the Gordini Stash Lite Touch Mitt, which is a pair of very lightweight mittens. The touch-screen strip on the fingertips and thumbs lets the user simply swipe the smartphone. One can use them for taking a picture or checking the weather. Lots of typing may prove somewhat inaccurate but for the basics it’s really great. And it’s especially good when it starts getting cold and your extremities are suffering.

There is also the iGlove which allows the user to talk through their hands! The Bluetooth talking gloves enables the user to talk while keeping their hand warm! There is a speaker that is sewn into the thumb and a microphone in the pinkie of the left hand glove. The glove comes in two sizes and features a battery, microphone and speaker.

Once at home and your gloves are off, what happens when you need the bathroom and it’s cold in there? The toilet seat warmer makes sure your behind doesn’t get cold. Or, you can go for the pajama warming pouch that makes your pjs warm before you are ready to get into them.

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Panasonic’s Healthcare Services

on4todayThe latest device to be used in healthcare services via Panasonic is a used via a portal that pretty much everyone already has at least one of in their homes – the television. The new product – On4Today based on the tablet – is set to facilitate senior living communities.

Provided by Panasonic Corporation of North America, participants at the LeadingAge Annual Conference & Expo in Nashville, were able to view the merits of On4Today.

Residents of eldercare communities, through the product using a Wi-Fi connection, can manage their day to day activities. It features reminders, appointments, has video options for on line chat, as well as messaging options. This means family and loved ones can access the On4Today portal, to schedule appointments, keep up with new meds, etc. Thus enhanced communication will result between the elderly person in care and those around them.

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Technology in the Classroom: Standing Desks, NetSpark and More

Today, with technology what it is and every child sitting at a computer screen whenever he wants to, it’s more important than ever to think about how we use technology in the classroom. Here are a few suggestions for parents, teachers and counselors that could help to create and shape a healthy learning environment.

1. Most classrooms use frontal learning where children stay in their seats most of the day and listen to a lecture or other activity in the front of the room. Even with the advent of computer screens, most kids are still at their desks most of the day. One important idea that could help children is the standing desk. With a standing desk, kids can at least get more circulation into their legs and also burn off some of their extra energy.

2. Schools should certainly have some type of tool to limit what students can find on the internet. A company like NetSpark, for instance, has web filtering tools that protect children from inappropriate content while still allowing for access to research and various websites. Such controls are an important part of any school’s technology plan.

3. Children should continue receiving plenty of time for fresh air and exercise. Just because they can now sit all day on computers and look at phones does not mean that they should be in their seats all the time. Teachers and educators need to make sure that they have plenty of time for outdoor activities and for physical activities.

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Budget Smartphone: Is The One “The One”?

OnePlus-One-featureOnePlus – a China-based start-up – is starting to take orders for ‘the One,’ its inexpensive hi-tech phone that has been the cause of worldwide chatter for months.

Designed with the minimalist in mind, the phone has top tech specs, runs on Google Android’s operating system, CyanogenMod and is really easy to use. What’s even more attractive about this new phone is its price. At a mere $299, the One has “one” price (no carrier plan required) which is significantly lower than other smartphones, once all the extras area added in.

So what’s the catch? Yes, there is ‘one’ unfortunately. It’s not going to be easy for one to get customer service on the phone. So, if something goes wrong, you are kind of stuck. At least, that’s the issue for now. Time will tell if it gets sorted out and it really does become ‘the one’ phone tekkies can’t live without.

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IFA 2014

tech-moto-360The Moto 360 Smartwatch from Motorola is attractive, comfortable to wear and just as powerful as other such watches on the market. Featuring a pedometer, heart rate sensor, ambient light sensor and wireless charging, this watch actually looks like a watch due to its round face and being constructed from glass and stainless steel – very watch-like features. And because it is light, and has a leather strap, it also feels like one.

One can choose from different color watchbands too: black, dark gray or light gray.

Currently there are some issues with the Moto 360 (such as battery power, the black slice at the bottom that looks a bit weird, and the round screen that sometimes causes text to get cut off). But even with these issues, it still comes up trumps against its rivals.

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iPhone Screen Printer

paperlessIn as much as we want to go paperless, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to completely happen anytime soon. Thus, we need printing ability but since we don’t like bulk the Rolto iPhone Screen Printer may offer a solution.

For the times we need to print documents on the spot (like vouchers we need for that night’s entertainment, etc.), this gadget by King Jim is great. Simply attach to your iPhone and get printing on the go. Retailing at $261, it takes a picture of your screen and then prints it onto a long roll of paper, which is great for a coupon etc. It works great with Apple’s free “Rolto” app. It doesn’t have color printing yet, but a later model might.

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Creating Widgets for Android

zooper-widgetOne widget for Android – the Zooper Widget – is a “do it yourself” widget that enables users to create their own widgets. It was built to enable users to need minimal resources while being able to tune all its parts through a WYSIWYG editor and powerful variables control.

From the creators of Themer, Zooper is available for free or in professional form that has additional customization, costing $2.49. Supporting all smartphone/tablets running at least an Android 3.2, users first select a widget size, drag it to the home screen and then adjust the layout to add content (categorized into module types). Personalized content (calendar, locality, battery) is added as well as text, then size, font, color, etc. Users should familiarize themselves with the application layout, different setting options, sub-categories etc.

Some categories in the widget include: battery info, global clock, weather for multiple locations, network info, calendar info, static bitmaps, jelly bean lock screen support and more.

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