Metapaper wallpaper prevents Wi-Fi theft

Wi-FiYou know what they say – a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and in the modern day where Wi-Fi networks are just about anywhere and everywhere, there will always be some smart aleck out there who cannot resist the temptation of hacking into a Wi-Fi network just because he or she can. If your neighbor is far more tech savvy than you and has been stealing your Wi-Fi all this while, here is one way of preventing that from happening – get a new set of wallpaper for your home.

A new what?! Yes sir, a new set of wallpaper from French researchers, who have called it Metapaper. Metapaper basically blocks Wi-Fi signals from escaping the home, which not only beautifies your abode, but it also increases the amount of wireless security. While blocking Wi-Fi signals, it will still enable TV and radio waves to pass through. Expect Finnish company Alstrom to distribute Metapaper from 2013 onwards. For those who are paranoid androids, Metapaper is the way to go, although we do hope that they have got some nifty designs to appeal to the masses. Alternatively, you can always use a wired connection and turn off Wi-Fi, but where’s the fun in that?

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Western Digital My Net Wi-Fi Range Extender , JetBlue in-flight Wi-Fi coming your way in Q1 2013,

Samsung and LG 55-inch OLED TVs delayed to 2013

If you were getting excited about the prospect of paying $10,000 for a 55″ OLED TV from Samsung or LG, this may put a damp on your project. Both companies will probably won’t ship their television in 2012. According to market researchers, it is simply very hard to mass-produce those panels with acceptable yields (ratio vs. good and defective units) so that selling those new TV is a profitable business.

Yields have always been a problem with displays in general. This comes from the fact that the larger a display is, and the more likely there will be a problem somewhere on it that makes it unusable during manufacturing. In any case, TV manufacturers are usually able to work those issues out, and the relatively high price of the 55″ OLED TV sets does take that into account – to a point.

Now, it’s really a matter of time until both LG and Samsung reach yields that they are comfortable with. Apparently, this will not happen in 2012 and it’s not clear when it would happen in 2013. What do you think and at what price price point would you get an OLED TV?

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: LG 55EM600 55-inch OLED TV Priced at 8000 Euros, Top 10 CES Gadgets,

Beam Brush has Bluetooth connectivity, plays music as you brush

If there is one thing that some folks tend to slack out on in terms of personal hygiene, it would be brushing one’s set of pearly whites (maybe it is not that white any more with all the coffee you’ve been drinking and cigarettes you’re smoking) before one goes to bed. Perhaps you need a little bit of incentive, a push, and the Beam Brush might fit the bill perfectly. This Bluetooth-enabled toothbrush will rely on an app to keep track of your brushing habits, and when accumulated, you can pick up real rewards.

Not only that, to make sure that you spend enough time scrubbing the insides of your mouth, the Beam Brush will play back a couple of minutes of music, while a tracking sensor goes to work to track your brushing habits. Among the rewards that you can pick up include video games, movie tickets, deals on purses, shoes and clothes – not surprisingly, there is no free candy. The Beam Brush prides itself in being the first app-connected toothbrush, and its app runs on Android or iOS platforms. Sorry BlackBerry and Windows Phone users, you’ll have to sit out on this one.

Pre-orders for the Beam Brush start from $35 onwards, but when the Beam Brush launches in November, it will cost $50 a pop. This makes the adage of being an early worm catching the worm more true than ever.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Samsung and LG 55-inch OLED TVs delayed to 2013, JVC 3D HDTV wears the Smart TV mantle,

JVC 3D HDTV wears the Smart TV mantle

JVC has just introduced their latest monster for the living room that will fall under the smart TV specification, where the 55″ JLE55SP4000 3D HDTV boasts of XinemaView 3D which will be accompanied by a quartet of battery-free 3D glasses, integrated Wi-Fi connectivity and Internet applications, a 120Hz CrystalMotion display, and a remote control that comes with more than just your regular buttons – it sports a QWERTY keypad to boot. This would make the JLE55SP4000 the first model under JVC’s new “BlackSapphire” range of HDTVs.

Aesthetically speaking, the JVC 3D HDTV cannot do much wrong, considering how it comes with an ultra-thin bezel design that measures under 0.5″ thin, boasts of 1080p Full HD resolution, an edge LED backlight, and superior sound quality without the need for any external soundbar. The latter was achieved via a built-in woofer and enhanced by JVC’s proprietary XinemaSound 3D acoustic and post processing technologies. If you are 3D TV hunting for this month, expect the JVC JLE55SP4000 to be under your radar at $1,299.99 each. [Press Release]

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: JVC Full HD 3D LCD Monitor, LG TM2792 personal TV with Cinema Screen design debuts at IFA 2012,

The Belkin WeMo Baby is a modern day baby monitor

While baby monitors are certainly not a new piece of technology, we guess given that how big a role smartphones and tablets play in our lives these days that the technology behind baby monitors will be changed as well. Belkin has done that with the WeMo Baby which is part of the company’s WeMo line of home automated gadgets. The WeMo Baby is essentially a more high-tech version of the regular baby monitor and is a microphone that transmits audio from your baby’s room to mobile devices – up to six simultaneously, to be exact, as long as it is hooked up to a WiFi connection (presumably the one at home).

The WeMo Baby will also come with an accompanying that is only compatible with iOS devices, which is powered by Evoz’s baby monitoring service. It will work on 3G, 4G or WiFi which means that parents can listen in on their baby without having to be at home, although why would you leave a baby unattended at home alone is beyond our guess, but we guess the flexibility and mobility might have its place in some situations. The Belkin WeMo Baby will be priced at $90 and is expected to go on sale early next month. [Press release]

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Belkin WeMo home automation system now up for pre-order, Belkin shows off redesigned Thunderbolt Express Dock, now upgraded with USB 3.0 ports,

“Wall Story” Removable Silhouette Stickers Turn On Your Light Switch

“Wall Story” Removable Silhouette Stickers Turn On Your Light Switch“Wall Story” removable wall stickers add personality to outlet cover plates, light switch covers and more. They stick without using permanent adhesives and peel right off when you’re moving or redecorating.

Bye Bye Laundry hanger concept

What you see above is something special, where it is known as the Bye Bye Laundry hanger that carry specialized charcoal within the capsule. This specialized charcoal has just one main purpose for its existence, that is, to air out clothes which might need a freshen-up instead of a full wash. Not only does this help you save time as there is no need to do any laundry, it is even better for the environment since you will get to save on water, power and soap. The Bye Bye Laundry loop-shaped hanger will boast of a filtered glass chamber located at the top, where the special charcoal pellets within have been processed with oxygen, allowing it to function as an extremely powerful and effective odor eliminator for any clothes resting on it.

Still, don’t expect the Bye Bye Laundry hanger to do wonders when it comes to your curry-stained dress or shirt. It is just meant to absorb smells, as well as air out work-related attire such as a blazer or jacket. Designed by British designer Lisa Marie Bengtsson, we do wonder just when will such a concept become reality.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Concept: Hanger Washing Machine, Sling Media announces Slingbox 500 and Slingbox 350 ,

Sling Media announces Slingbox 500 and Slingbox 350

It was at the end of last month when we spotted a photo of the Slingbox 500 and Slingbox 350 sitting prettily on the shelf at a Best Buy somewhere in the US, and nearly a couple of weeks later, here we are with an official announcement concerning both devices, with the Slingbox 500 that you see above sporting a rather fashion forward design if I may say so myself. Delivering Full HD 1080p quality streaming of TV content from just about anywhere, the Slingbox 500 is said to set a new standard by boasting built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, while HDMI compatibility helps set up the right platform for delivery of personal content to the TV. This is the first of its kind for any Slingbox product.

As for the Slingbox 350, it delivers Sling Media’s highest quality, proven “TV Anywhere” technology without breaking the bank. Basically, the Slingbox 350 features 1080p, HD-quality streaming on compatible devices, coming in a sleek, industrial design that is merged with integrated IR emitters in order to make it a compact, unique and easy-to-use addition to any home entertainment center.

The Slingbox 500 and Slingbox 350 will retail for $299.99 and $179.99, respectively, from October 14th onwards in the US, while our neighbors living in the Great White North will have to wait until November. [Press Release]

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Best Buy spotted with new Slingbox 350 and 500, SlingPlayer app now available on Boxee,

Boxee TV streaming box pic leaked

What you see above is the Boxee TV that made its way in the form of a leaked image over to the folks at The Verge, where the Boxee TV intends to merge the functions of over-the-air live TV broadcasts, DVR, and web apps into a single solution that sits comfortably in the middle of your living room. Do you believe that Over The Air (OTA) programming is what majority of viewers actually need when it comes to their entertainment whims? If you are not yet a convert, then Boxee hopes to tempt you over to their side of the fence with the Boxee TV streaming box.

The new hardware is manufactured by D-Link, where it comes in a form factor that some might say goes along with the rest of the crowd, resembling products from Apple and Roku amongst others. The new Boxee TV will offer a TV tuner with coax input within its matte black case, an external antenna, DVR capabilities and network streaming abilities. We look forward to an official announcement of the Boxee TV.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Boxee 1.5 update on the way, Panasonic Smart Apps aim to make life easier,

Guy Makes Mobile Office from IKEA Parts

Hey, when you have a new baby you have to make some major sacrifices. Less video games, maybe free up some room in the home. Stuff like that. IKEA Hacker Ian from Los Angeles had to give up his home office when a new baby was on the way. Well, he took it as a challenge and created an impressive mobile home office built out of IKEA pieces.

ikea table mod 1 Ian took an IKEA stainless steel kitchen work table, some IKEA computer tower desk trays, two steel tabletops, and two grated steel shelves and made a mobile “office” that could be packed away into a closet when not in use. Judging by the images, he did an awesome job. You can check out a more detailed image of the entire build here.

ikea table mod 2

Well done Ian. How much do you want to bet this thing turns into a diaper changing table as well?

[via Geekosystem]