Now i wonder who thought that up

Savio D'souza | February 2, 2013

Now i wonder who thought that up

Savio D'souza | February 2, 2013

iPOTTY


Purists might argue that the iPotty isn't technology or a 'gadget', but its sheer quirkiness actually earns it a spot in this list. Getting your kid to sit still in one place can be quite a task;more so when you're trying to potty-train that bundle of energy. iPotty to the rescue. In the last couple of years, the iPad has proved to have a calming effect on rambunctious kids. Want your li'l rascal to sit in one place? Bribe him with the slate. And now, the Apple tablet can be combined with the iPotty - a brightly coloured plastic pot with an iPad stand - to get him toilet trained. In case you're wondering, this contraption comes complete with plastic screen guard for splash protection. The iPotty is expected to be available online by March. iPad not included.

Price: $40 ( 2, 125 approx)

Now i wonder who thought that up

Savio D'souza | February 2, 2013

SOLOWHEEL


The Segway is old news. Those with serious parking problems at work might want to take a dekko at Solowheel. Weighing just 11 kg and equipped with a lithium-ion battery, this portable vehicle is capable of top speeds of 16 kmph with a range of 16 km on a onehour electric charge.
Like it is with the Segway, navigation on the Solowheel includes gently leaning in the direction you want to move (or leaning back slightly to slow down); its built-in gyroscopic sensors take care of the rest while also ensuring that you do not take a tumble. Undoubtedly, a greener way to commute;still, we think it's going to be quite a while before you'll see your boss riding to work on one.

Price: $1, 795 (Rs 95, 500 approx)

Now i wonder who thought that up

Savio D'souza | February 2, 2013

ACOUSTIC SHEEP


There are noise-cancellation headphones for use in cacophonous places, earbuds with sound isolation for when you're commuting, on-ear variants for jogging, Bluetooth versions for wire-free listening - and now, believe it or not, there are "pajamas for your ears". Acoustic Sheep takes the form of a headband to allow for hindrance-free listening as you rest your weary head on your pillow. What we're wondering, however, is if we really need music being piped directly into our ears when we're desperately trying to sleep.

Price: Starting at $39. 95 (Rs 2, 125 approx)

Now i wonder who thought that up

Savio D'souza | February 2, 2013

LOGISYS BLACK OPTICAL FINGER MOUSE

Unlike traditional mice, Logisys' Black Optical Finger Mouse has to be worn on your index finger. You can then control the cursor on your PC screen by moving that finger along any flat surface (except reflective glass). Like traditional mice, this gizmo boasts of dual mouse buttons, a scroll wheel as well as a 3. 8-foot USB cord. A conversation starter? We agree. But try typing with that finger, we say.

Price: $19. 99 (Rs 1, 050 approx)

Now i wonder who thought that up

Savio D'souza | February 2, 2013

PARTY ANIMALS


They look like any soft toy till you plug in your digital music player, after which Party Animals start gyrating to the rhythm and beat of whatever music you're playing.
Thankfully, this 'gadget' from Cobra Digital comes with a 'speaker only' mode that stops the dancing, but continues with music playback. Some might call it cute while others might think it peculiar. Either way, it's an attention grabber.

Price: $21. 60 (Rs 1, 150 approx)

Now i wonder who thought that up

Savio D'souza | February 2, 2013

HAPIlabs HAPIfork


It can't cook you delicious meals, but the HAPIfork can do one thing that your mother did for you at the dinner table. It can tell you if you're not chewing your food properly and eating too fast. This hi-tech piece of cutlery from HAPIlabs is equipped with sensors that detect if the intervals between two morsels are too short. If so, it'll blink in different colours or vibrate to alert you to slow down. The HapiFork also comes with an app that records your dietary patterns to help you develop healthier eating habits. It's almost as if mommy dearest is still watching over you. "Now get your elbows off the table and finish you veggies. "

Price: Yet to be launched;estimated retail $99 (Rs 5, 250 approx)

Now i wonder who thought that up

Savio D'souza | February 2, 2013

PARROT FLOWER POWER


Parrot is known for its Bluetooth audio products, but with Flower Power, the company is poised to launch hi-tech gadgetry for gardeners!
Yes, you read right: The divining rod-like device requires its ends to be firmly buried near the roots of a plant. It then analyses environmental factors like sunlight, soil composition and moisture - and relays this information via Bluetooth to an app on your smartphone. The software, in turn, is equipped with a database of over 6, 000 flora and is capable of receiving push notifications to remind you of your plant's growth needs. Nifty perhaps, but this stick-in-the-mud still makes us wonder what happened to good ol' gardening: Kneeling in the mud, dirtying your hands, digging, weeding and actually talking to your green friends as you gently coax them to bloom.

Price: Yet to be launched

Now i wonder who thought that up

Savio D'souza | February 2, 2013

iMUSIC BODYRHYTHM


Feel the music? Well, that's the idea of the iMusic BodyRhythm. The wearable device is equipped with two drumheads on the back that replicate the beats you hear in a song. It connects to your iPhone via Bluetooth - and no matter what track you're listening to, you'll feel its beats thumping on your shoulders. As far as we're concerned, the idea still has some issues. First, it requires to be plugged into an electrical socket to work. Second, it weighs a hefty 2. 5 kg. As a matter of fact, we're glad that the first two factors limit its portability because a giant bib would just make you look ridiculous in public.

Price: Pre-order $149 (Rs 7, 925 approx)