The Solar Powered iPad Cover

 

Here’s a new innovative iPad cover that harnesses solar powered technology to provide up to ten days of iPad2 usage without the need for a battery charge. The Solar Powered iPad Cover uses the latest photovoltaic ink technology to convert both indoor and outdoor light into electricity.

The solar powered iPad cover is equipped with a built-in battery. The combined solar charging panel along with the integrated battery work in tandem to enable you to use your iPad2 for as long as ten days without needing a charge.

The iPad cover also serves as a protective case and is perfect for travel and when you’re on the go. The cover’s built-in stainless steel stand allows you to pace your iPad2 at an optimal 15 degree angle for typing or watching movies. The solar powered iPad cover is also equipped with a standard USB port that allows connect and charge smartphones, MP3 players or Bluethooth headsets.

And iPad case is also equipped with an HDMI output that lets you connect your iPad2 to an HDTV. The USB and HDMI cables are not included.

The Solar Powered iPad Cover is fully compatible with both the iPad2 and the newest iPad3. Dimensions are 11 inches long by 8  inches wide and 1 inch deep. The iPad cover weighs 1 1/2 pounds.

Protect your iPad with the advanced Solar Powered iPad Cover and enjoy the smart and eco-friendly performance of up to 10 days of operation without the need to charge your iPad.

Available: Hammacher

Price: $199.95

FXI Cotton Candy – The Miniature PC On A Stick

 

FXI Technologies has recently just released in limited availability the Cotton Candy miniaturized dual-core PC computer the size of a USB flash drive.

The FXI cotton candy is referred to as an “any screen computer” which really means it’s a tiny miniaturized fully capable PC computer that doesn’t come with a screen or monitor. These miniaturized computer devices are ideal for embeded applications including portable set top box gaming and entertainment equipment, mobile “any screen” computing, and a full range of specialized applications including medical, automotive, security, surveillance, and other dedicated solutions.

This tiny fully contained computer is packed with impressive raw horsepower and offers integrated HDMI, USB and MicroUSB connectivity for surprising flexibility in the portable market.

And let’s talk about just how how tiny and compact. The Cotton Candy miniaturized PC on a stick weighs only 21 grams. That’s just a little over 1/2 ounce. The dimensions of this super miniaturized computer are roughly 3 inches in length and a bit over 1/2 inch in width.

The cotton candy architecture will lend itself as an ideal add on to smartphones, tablet computers and notebook PCs including Macs. In addition, the device is perfect for adding intelligent computing capabilities to displays, set top boxes and gaming consoles.

 FXI Cotton Candy Technical Specifications

• ARM® Cortex™ A9 1.2GHz Central Processing Unit (CPU) with NEON extensions and Trustzone extensions.
• ARM® Mali™ 400MP Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) delivers 720p and 1080p OpenGL ES v2.0, can process 30M Polygons and 1.2 GPixels per second.
• Wifi 802.11 b/g/n network connectivity.
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.
• 1GB DRAM memory.
• Up to 64GB expandable memory with microSD local storage.
• Supports standard OS’s including, Android (Gingerbread and Ice Cream Sandwich), Linux (Ubuntu),  and includes embedded virtualization client for Windows, Linux, Mac.
• USB 2.0 port for power and connection to devices that support USB mass storage.
• HDMI 2.1 port with audio.
• Decodes MPEG-4, H.264 and other video formats, displays HD graphics on any HDMI equipped screen.

FXI Technologies (www.fxitech.com) is a Norway-based hardware and software startup with a focus on improving the world of digital screens with smart and personal capabilities. This includes initiatives

• Improving consumer access to Cloud computing.
• Accelerate the adoption and use of “smart screen” technologies.
• Easy ability to share media and content (videos, movies, photos, games, etc.) from mobile and portable devices on large screens and projectors.

FXI Cotton Candy, the PC on a stick, may very well open up even more exciting embedded computing applications around the corner, and we’ll be ready to talk about it here at Mint Gadgets. If you’re interested in learning more about the cotton candy miniature PC on a stick, you can visit the comunity website at cstick.com where development units are available now for pre-order.

Source: [FXI - cstick.com]

 

Desk Pet Tankbots with Smartphone Controller

 

Your cluttered desktop is full of obstacles like your computer mouse, coffee mugs, staplers, notebook computers, etc., right? Maybe you didn’t realize, but this clutter creates the ideal obstacle driving course for the Desk Pet Tankbots. These clever little mini-robot remote controlled gadgets are actually masters at navigating in and around any maze.

The amusing little Desk Pet Tankbot is equipped with an advanced optical navigation technology. It can search at detect any obstacle in its path at easily navigate around it. This is the pinnacle of procrastination busting, robotic desktop entertainment at its best.

This ingenious little Desk Pet Tankbot can operate in three different modes.

1. Touchless navigation – detects objects in its path with optical navigation technology and can automatically navigate through the maze on your desktop.
2. Autonomous personality mode – spins around and shows off its lights and sounds.
3. Smartphone control – use your Smartphone or iPhone as a remote control to steer and guide the Desk Pet Tankbot.

And what’s better than one Tankbot. Well, two tankbots, of course! Desk Pet Tankbots can “fire” infrared shots at each other and the tankbot optical sensors can detect when they’ve been hit. After enough shots, the winner disables the loser.

Smartphone Controlled Desk Pet Tankbots Demonstration

Smartphone Controlled Desk Pet Tankbots Features

• Avoids and steers around obstacles with advanced optical navigation technology.
• The little tankbot has a personality too with light-up eyes and cute little robot sounds.
• Tankbots are randomly picked from four different colors (Grey ,Blue, Orange, and Green). Sorry, you can’t order the color you prefer, but they’re all great Tankbot colors.
• Come on, you know your desk needs a maze-navigating tank robot.
• Three modes of operation: touchless navigation, autonomous personality mode, smartphone remote control.
• Compatible with iOS devices and Android devices (2.1 and up), you can download the free remote control tankbot app from the App Store or Android Market.
• Insert the DeskPet Universal Remote into your headphone jack to control your TankBot.
• Includes the integrated USB flip out connector to recharge using your computer USB port.
• Automatic shut-off after 3 minutes of inactivity to conserve battery life.
• Internal rechargeable battery provides 15 minutes of tankbot play time from a 40 minute battery charge.
• Suitable for Ages 8 and Up

A Desk Pet Tankbot (or two) provides hours of desktop mini-robot fun entertainment. Get your Desk Pet Tankbot today!

Available: ThinkGeek

Price: $24.99

CarMD Vechicle Health System Diagnostic Reader

 

With today’s modern cars, everything is computerized and micro-processor controlled. While cars are technologically smarter these days, it’s definitely more complex for the car owner to make sense out of the many things that can go wrong with a vehicle.

Interestingly, modern vehicles in the US are required by standards to be equipped with the ODB-2 diagnostic and reporting capability. The On Board Diagnostic (ODB-2) system enables the vehicle to report on the various sub-systems throughout the car and identify problems and areas that might be malfunctioning or need attention. Typically, you need to take your car to the the repair shop and have a technician plug in a diagnostic device to get a reading or report from the ODB-2 system. And this places you at the mercy of the repair technician to give you an honest assessment of the items, problems and issues reported.

Now, with the CarMD Vechicle Health System Diagonostic Reader, you can access the same ODB-2 reporting system as the repair shop. With this access to the vehicle’s self diagnostic system, you can easily achieve peace of mind before you take your car into the mechanic for maintenance or repairs. This helps you keep your repair shop honest when you can see the same diagnostic information they do.

The CarMD Vehicle Health System Diagnostic Reader is simple to use, and it’s nice and compact storing easily inside your car’s glove compartment or even in your purse. The ODB-2 diagnostic system is standardized today so this device will work perfectly with almost all of the newer vehicles out there. Actually, the ODB system has been required on vehicles in North America since 1996.

You simply plug the CarMD  diagnostic reader into the standard port, usually at the bottom or under the dash, and in a matter of seconds, the color coded display begins reporting on your vehicle’s health and showing you if you have any hidden problems. This is also an ideal tool when you’re shopping for used cars and you want to quickly evaluate the current mechanical condition of a vehicle. The CarMD vehicle health system reader even helps you determine if you’ll pass an emissions test in advance.

Once you’ve gathered the diagnostic information from your car, you simply plug the CarMD tool into your PC or MAC using the included USB cable. The provided software as well as an online website helps you generate a detailed diagnostic report about your car and even provides estimated repair costs if necessary. When you know in advance before you visit the repair shop what your repair items, parts and labor costs look like, you can make better decisions and be prepared in advance to better manage your vehicle repairs.

See the CarMD Vehicle Health System Diagnostic Reader demonstration

 

With the CarMD Vehicle Health System Monitor, it’s like you have your own personal car doctor for your vehicle looking out for you. With the CarMD tool, you can eliminate most of the worry and anxiety you encounter when you have to service your car. Now you can more easily protect yourself against overpaying for automobile repairs.

CarMD is the personal car doctor for your vehicle. It’s a comprehensive system that eliminates the worry and anxiety of what to expect when servicing your vehicle. Avoid overpaying for vehicle repairs with the CarMD Vehicle Health System.

Some of the CarMD Vehicle Health System Diagnostic Reader Features:

• Find out why your car’s “check engine” light is on.
• Determine in advance what needs to be fixed and what parts and labor will cost before visiting the repair shop.
• For the DIY inclined, you can save money and time by repairing simple problems on your own.
• Read and retrieve diagnostic codes from the following vehicle systems: Powertrain (Check Engine–vehicle sensors), Body (ABS–brake system), and chassis (SRS–safety system).
• Gain access to CarMD’s ASE Certified Technicians with a toll-free number should you encounter any problems while on the road.
• Find out in advance if your car will pass an emissions or smog test.
• Produce and generate money-saving diagnostic reports.
• CarMD works on all 1996 and newer vehicles in North America. Includes cars, light-duty trucks, minivans, hybrid vehicles, SUVs, foreign and domestic.
• CarMD plugs into your car’s ODB-2 port connector, usually found under the car’s steering wheel. Manufacturers are actually allowed to place the connector in nine different locations. CarMD makes it easy to locate the ODB-2 port by providing a photo of the precise location for your  car when you select your vehicle’s year, make and model.
• CarMD supports both PC and Mac computers.

Take the worry and guess-work out of maintaining and repairing your vehicle with the easy-to-use CarMD Vechicle Health System Diagnostic Reader.

Available: Amazon

Price: $99.99

A Space Age Digital Wellness Monitor

 

Now you can harness the same space age technology that NASA uses to monitor astronauts in space with the Digital Wellness Monitor. The digital monitor technology is based on the proven premise that good health starts with getting the proper amount of exercise and sleep. You simply wear this compact, pocket-sized intelligent monitor everywhere you go and track your daily movement as well as your sleep cycles to determine if you’re getting enough exercise and sleep.

The Digital Wellness Monitor has an accelerometer that detects and monitors the intensity and duration of your movements. It keeps track of the steps you take, how much distance you travel, including the elevation and with this collected date is able to compute the number of calories you burn.

When you sleep, you can fit the sensor in the included wristband which is able to detect tiny tremors and movements in your wrist to measure the following key sleep patterns and behavior:

• How long it takes you to fall asleep.
• How often you wake up.
• How long you actually remain asleep (as opposed to just lying in bed).

The wellness monitor has a digital screen that displays each of the various readings that the device can track. You can also upload your wellness tracking information to a website online anytime you are within 15 feet of the USB charging station. From the website, once your data is uploaded, you can view your wellness data on time lines, charts and graphs.

The included software for uploading the wellness data to the website  is compatible with Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Mac. The Digital Wellness Monitor can operate for up to 7 days on a single 1 1/2 hour charge (through the USB charging station). An extremely compact and portable device, the wellness monitor dimensions are 2 1/4 inches long, 3/4 inches wide and 1/2 inch deep. The device is super light weight and compact weighing only 1 ounce.

Available: Hammacher

Price: $99.95

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