Hasta La Gadget!

If you didn’t manage to get your hands on a full-sized replica of the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device, now’s your chance to get a mini-sized one for your desk instead.

Our pals over at ThinkGeek have just outed this darling little version of the Portal 2 ASHPD for just $59.99(USD), and it’s just darling. This mini version of the Portal gun measures about 12″ long, and fits nicely into your hands. It even lights up in either orange or blue, and makes the appropriate sound effects when you toggle between modes. It ships with a handy stand so you can display it proudly on your desk too.

So if you hadn’t figured out what you’re getting that Portal fan on your holiday shopping list yet, you now know. Open up a portal now and stick your hand and your credit card through to ThinkGeek to order yours now.

Now all they need to do is to come up with a Portal gun that actually works.

Griffin makes all sorts of accessories for Apple products like the iPhone and the iPad. The company has unveiled a couple of new toys that use iOS devices as controllers. The toys in question include a monster truck and little racing dune buggy called the Moto TC Monster and the Moto TC Racer.

The Monster is available right now and sells for $59.99(USD). It uses Bluetooth connectivity from the smartphone to send signals to the vehicle for control. The vehicle can be controlled using fingers on a virtual steering wheel or by tilting the device using its motion sensors. The controller app also features a slide controller where you can slide your finger back and forth to direct the truck.

Drivers can also set up a preset route to have the truck automatically run a specific route with no interaction. The Racer is a smaller buggy style car that will launch in the middle of November for $29.99. It will use an integrated RF sensor and an accessory that plugs into the headphone port of your device. Its app will support control using virtual steering wheel or motion. Both devices require iOS 5.0 or higher to operate.

Over the years, I’ve seen more than a few remote-controlled toys that use the iPhone or other smartphones as their controller. Several of these little devices have come from a company called DeskPets. DeskPets is back with another cheap remote controlled toy that uses Android or iOS devices as the controller.

The new toy is called the CarBot and it is available in four different colors including red, blue, green, and yellow. Each of the different colors operates on its own infrared code allowing up to four of the cars to be used at one time. The car features a battle mode that lets players challenge each other and even fire virtual rockets at each other to take down their opponents.

The CarBot also has a maze mode that allows players to set up a maze for the toy to navigate precisely. It also has a personality mode with sounds and lights as well as a mute button for noiseless play.

The little CarBot is able to race at up to 2 feet-per-second, and recharges using an integrated USB connector. It takes 40 minutes of charging for about 15 minutes of play. The CarBot can be purchased now at Brookstone, Best Buy, and Toys “R” Us stores for $29.99 (USD).

A new project has landed on Kickstarter that looks pretty interesting. The project is for a skateboard truck (the axle assembly) that has provisions for electric motor and controls. When attached to a traditional skateboard deck, the Lagrange L1 converts it into an electric vehicle.

RedRock Boardshop, the people behind the project say that they have tested the system with a 200-pound rider and have been able to achieve an electric driving range of 10 to 15 miles at 20+ mph. I know this sounds really cool, but when you look at the fine details this is a very expensive DIY kit for what amounts to a plaything. It will cost you at least $300 to get the skate truck and required brackets. That doesn’t include the electric motor, electronics, and other various parts.

You’ll need to spend $950(USD) or more to get the motorized skate truck with electronics, remote control, and the battery. You’ll still have to add the deck, wheels, front truck, and a backpack to hold the battery. If this sounds interesting and you can stomach the money, watch the video and see the device in action. While there have been several other electric skateboard projects in recent months, the Lagrange L1 lets you use your own custom skate deck as well as fine-tune it to your own riding preferences.

Unfortunately, the project is a long way from its funding goal, as it’s seeking $99,999 and has only raised about $5000 with 12 days to go.

K’Nex is an amazing building system. People have made some really amazing and huge contraptions using nothing but K’Nex pieces. The latest is this amazing K’Nex pinball machine from University of Colorado student Andrew Locke.

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