Tag: Gadget News (Page 3 of 11)

      No One Panic, but the Wheel May Have Just Been Reinvented

      June 5, 2013 /

      8902ef9538611b85c55fb24eef044d44_large

      I’ve covered a lot of Kickstarter projects on this site, as the crowd funding behemoth proves to be an infinite source for the latest, and most interesting, projects currently out there.

      But of all those Kickstarter projects, few have ever been so bold as a seemingly simple invention called the Shark Wheel, which claims to have reinvented the wheel.

      It’s origin story is much humbler than its aspirations, as the story goes that one day creator David Patrick was playing around trying to get six pieces of interlocking cable to fit into a cube (which is apparently how eccentric geniuses entertain themselves), when he realized that upon dropping his created design, the shape he’d formed not only rolled, but rolled smoothly over a long stretch of ground.

      As a lifelong skateboarder, David immediately realized the potential of this design, and modified it to create the Shark Wheel, a somewhat warped interpretation of the standard wheel that is designed to specifically reduce the amount of direct contact with the ground. Among other things, the benefits of that approach includes faster speed, better grip and control, and the ability to provide both of those features in wet or uneven terrain. In other words, by shifting the model of the traditional wheel slightly, it manages to provide the most desirable aspects of the regular skateboard wheel in a way that the old design cannot.

      Now, the term skateboard wheel is being thrown around here, because that is the sole intention of this design’s function at the moment, as the Shark’s kickstarter campaign will net you 4 longboard wheels for a $50 donation.

      While the inventor insists this design is not currently intended for use on an automobile or any other wheel dependent vehicle, it is nonetheless impressive that someone out there has managed to accomplish what was previously only referenced in terms of a joke and has actually improved the wheel, even if it is only in one specific capacity. It does go to show though that there is an infinite world of creative possibilities still to be explored, and, on its own, looks to be an impressive piece of design that any skateboarder should be intrigued by.

      News

      Some Kids Were Just Better With Legos Than Others

      March 21, 2013 /

      Let it be known that when the technological hall of fame is built (no doubt by our future robotic overlords), I’d like to nominate Legos as a first ballet entrant.

      Sure they aren’t as flashy or “capable” as say your iPhone, but ever since 1949, they’ve been a tool for innovative minds to hone, and show off, their skills through, as well as a consistent source of amusement that has managed to evolve and adapt with the changing world.

      While new and exciting Lego creations routinely make the internet rounds, there are a couple fresh ones I had to share today.

      First is this amazing “Fallout 3” Pipboy 3000 recreation from Lego aficionado Simon Liu.

      Equipped with built in status screen, and functioning knobs and lights, the Lego Pipboy’s design is impressive, and immediately recognizable, but the ace in the hole is the built in FM radio, tuned to the Wasteland’s favorite DJ Three Dog in the demonstration, that takes this invention from “oh cool” to “holy crap” on the Lego creation scale. Further bonus style points are awarded for the “retro meets future” design the device has, which sums up the entire “Fallout” style nicely.

      No details on how to make one are currently available, but considering I used to have trouble make even a paltry Lego house, that may be moot.

      Of course, in terms of items from the “never be able to build it in a million years” school of Legos, the next design is even greater.

      That machine takes the previously simple task of creating and launching a paper plane, and turns it into an automated mass production device that is the envy of any second grader. Constructed by Lego Mindstorms user hknssn13 with almost 7000 Lego bricks, and a few NXT model “smart” Legos for the automated parts, the almost 5 foot long creation builds and launches the perfect paper airplane every time.

      No word yet on whether a rubber band launcher of the same design is in the works but, considering the offensive potential of that device, that information may be classified.

      News

      Insanity + Creativity + Ability – Reasoning = Tazer Sword

      March 5, 2013 /

      Trying to decide on a self-defense weapon and can’t make up your mind between a taser and a sword?

      Well apparently, and surprisingly, you aren’t the only one as a YouTuber named Jonathanj9969 has created a device that exists as a harmonious union between the gadgets, and has dubbed his creation, simply, the tazer sword

      Appropriately for a device that, metaphorically, taser stabs subtlety in the face, there isn’t much more to explain or elaborate on. It’s a friggin taser, built into a friggin sword. When in use? Lighting sword. An honest to God lighting sword.

      Oh, and before you question the safety of this device, it protects the user via electrical tape on the handle (naturally), so the only person in danger is the entire rest of the world that doesn’t have one while you do. Bonus child like logic points goes to the electrical plug built into the base of the handle for charging.

      If you’re wondering what it looks like in action, or how effective it is, allow the inventor to exhibit more of the judgment skills that no doubt guided him while creating this device, by conceding for one to be used on him, and even getting in a taser sword fight with his buddy.

      WARNING!!!!!: The Following Video Contains Bad Language, Extreme Stupidity, and Oddly Fitting Lightsaber Type Sound Effects

      You know, I’m disappointed in only two things about this item. First that it will never, ever be available in a retail or military capacity, and that no one bothered to raise the sword above their heads and scream “I HAVE THE POWER!!!!” in either of those videos.

      News

      An Office Chair that is Designed for Posture and Comfort? Go On…

      March 1, 2013 /

      As someone who is confined to an office chair all day, let me tell you that they are not the comfortable prospect they may seem to people who spend their working days on their feet. Instead they are usually a rung or two down from the most diabolical medieval torture devices, and their design inspiration rarely stretches beyond that of “chair.”

      Which is why I like the idea behind the Optimal Posture chair, the office chair designed for the modern day average human, who can’t manage to sit perfectly straight for eight hours a day, five days a week, for most of the calendar year. It encourages the user to maintain their ideal sitting posture, largely by moving the backrest to the front, and making room for you to droop your arms comfortably over, while incorporating the natural lean most people tend to have when sitting. The rest also swivels to the more traditional position, where it still incorporates your shoulder positioning to provide maximum support.

      More than just a twist on the classic chair design, the Optimal Posture chair also takes into account your lower body, as it forces it into a position of “semi-standing” that also counters the dreaded slouching efect. Put it all together and you can remove your daily pain in the back from your pain in the…elsewhere…job, for the not so low price of $499.95.

      Designed with the help of spine doctors, this chair reminds me of the “As Seen on TV” success Snuggie, in that its bizzare, somewhat easy to mock looks also appear to be insanely comfortable and produce a desirable effect when actually used. So while it may look a little strange, and have a notable asking price, for optimal comfort in your day, it sure beats the hell out of waiting for the employee with the good chair to quit so you can steal it.

      News

      Rumors Have Google Planning to Open Nationwide Retail Stores

      February 16, 2013 /

      In their constant bid to do what they do every night and try to take over the world, Google is reportedly planning to open their own chain of brand specific retail stores.

      Usually reliable Google centric blog 9to5 Google broke the news, saying their sources claim the web giant will be expanding past their occasional Best Buy and special event pop up Chrome stores, and will be looking at a nationwide retail store model similar to that of competitor Apple. The stores would also be used in much of the same fashion as Apple stores, as Google would use them to show off their latest and greatest gadgets, and also offer technical support.

      While a reasonable, even sane, argument can be made that Google looking to get into a dying industry late is a costly business failure waiting to happen, the truth is that Apple still does very well at their retail locations, and Google is consistently cited as being at least as popular, if not more so, than Apple is. The real reason this could work though is Project Glass, as Google is set to launch what could potentially be the next great invention, and a physical retail store that lets people practically try it, could be a big draw.

      We’ll know more as the rumored holiday 2013 US openings of these stores draws closer, but the one thing we know for sure is that if Google has as much fun designing the stores as they did their offices, we’re all in for a treat.

      News

      « Older posts Newer posts »

      © 2025 Gadget Teaser

      Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑