If Teddy Ruxpin had tried harder to keep up with technology he wouldn’t have risen from the grave using proprietary digital cartridges. Instead, he’d have a smartphone dock embedded in his torso like this Japaese Cocolo Bear does. More »
Fuuvi’s Nanoblocks are a smaller version of Lego that seem to have had some level of success in Japan. And while this isn’t the first time the blocks have crossed paths with cameras before, this is the first official Nanoblock digital snapper that can be completely customized with other building sets. More »
Do you love all things remote controlled? If you have answered in the affirmative, then we are pleased to bring you word that QFO Labs, a startup which hails from Minneapolis, has just announced that they will be rolling out a mini quadcopter toy that they have dubbed the NanoQ. It will rely on relatively affordable 3-axis gyros and accelerometers, in order to help it remain nice and stable in mid-flight. Apart from that, it will be accompanied by a one-handed remote which integrates tilt sensors for smooth and natural control. It is different from most of the other quadrotors in the market however, as the NanoQ’s propellers will come in an inverted manner which prevents them from colliding with ceilings. This is a good thing, especially if you have your home’s ceiling fan turned on.
Just what kind of dimensions does the NanoQ come in? Well, for starters, it measures a mere 5.25” across while tipping the scales at a diminutive 35 grams with a maximum payload of 10 grams. Having said that, it is capable of remaining up in the air for up to ten minutes on its rechargeable LiPo (that’s lithium polymer for you) batteries, with a controlling range of up to a hundred feet (30 meters). The company hopes that the future will see multiple NanoQs competing at flying laser tag, since they are capable of “shooting” one another using onboard infrared (IR) sensors.
The NanoQ does seem to carry far more potential than just being a toy, and courtesy of its relatively low planned price of $149 a pop with its PC compatibility, it could double up as a research platform for university labs that are running on a tight budget. Whenever you hook up the controller to a PC via USB or a USB RF dongle, you are able to send it commands while accessing its sensor data and more.
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[ NanoQ mini quadcopter takes to the skies copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Just how far do you think that the Angry Birds franchise is able to go? Some folks figured out that they still have plenty of mileage left, and if you are part of that particular group, you can always check out the £21.99 Nikko Angry Birds Infrared Control iRacer. At least this is not an app that will help you kill time while waiting for the train or bus, but rather, it helps you bond with your kid or friends as you cozy down at home.
The Nikko Angry Birds Infrared Control iRacer are more than ready to wreak a path of destruction, being “real life” versions of its digital counterparts. Built to last and cut across the air, the bird can be catapulted thanks to the slingshot-remote which also doubles up as the charger. Once you have sent the Angry Bird “flying”, you are able to control it by using the slingshot remote. There is some work to be done before you are able to enjoy a “real life” game of Angry Birds, as you will need to cut out the green pigs artwork from the giftbox beforehand, piling them up with other collapsible things. Make sure you have a ready supply of AA batteries to keep this game going.
[ Nikko Angry Birds Infrared Control iRacer copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
The Japanese Jobs fanboys at Legend Toys absolutely nailed the face of the late Apple tycoon on its newest action figure. It’s a phenomenal job. But, quick question—why are his hands the size of skateboards? More »
When you first watched Jaws during your wee years, were you scared stiff of swimming in unchartered waters? After all, with the haunting soundtrack in the background, not to mention the ferocious killing machine that sharks are made out to be on the TV, what’s worse than a shark which is hungry for flesh – human flesh in particular? Why, zombie sharks take the cake, as they aren’t only after that chunk of meat on your thigh, but are gunning for your brains as well.
The $39.99 Zombie Shark Air Swimmer R/C is a funny, light hearted and zombified take on the classic Shark Air Swimmer R/C. It is on the hunt for human brains, and will be made from the same durable, high-quality nylon material that allows it to remain inflated for weeks on end. Some of the remote functions include the ability to climb, descend, and tail fin control for turning. The infra-red remote should be able to help get the job done from afar, where a quartet of AAA batteries keep it going instead of fresh brains. Keep this “pet” indoors and you should be fine.
[ Zombie Shark Air Swimmer R/C copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Tiggly is a toy for kids who might be past the “teethe on your iPad” and just below the “I want to play the birds game” stages of mental development. Designed by a parent, Steve Miller of Cambridge, MA, the system includes three little shapes and a set of apps that allow kids to interact with shapes, colors, and animals on the screen.
In my experience, kids are using iPhones and iPads younger and younger. Our eight month old stares intently at pictures of baby faces on the iPhone and my son and daughter knew how to slide to unlock before they could crawl. This gives them something fun to do on the iPad and, using capacitive touch points, allows them to put shapes right on the on-screen representations in order to win games and interact with characters.
The toy and three apps cost $29. The apps are quite simple and include:
Tiggly Match is a game that teaches kids how to identify shapes. Target age: 18 months to 2 years
Clearly we’re not working on advanced particle physics here, but it definitely looks like something I could get into with the kids. Miller built the toy for his children after realizing that the educational games for the very small on the iPad required a level of interaction that was quite difficult for the wee ones. Miller needs a minimum run of 5,000 pieces to make these fairly cheaply so he’s looking for a Kickstarter pledge of $50,000 to start shipping these things. He’s at about $10,000 so maybe we’ll have some happy shapes to help smear pureed pears all over our iPads this holiday.
What happens when your little one pesters you for a pet? You know the long and winding road that you and the missus are about to head down. For starters, the puppy or kitten will be given all sorts of love at the beginning, but after a while, your kid will begin to pay more attention to the Nintendo Wii U or Xbox 360, neglecting to feed that now grown up dog or cat, in addition to taking it out for walks or bathing it. How about teaching responsibility on the digital front with the $29.99 Ubooly iPhone/iPod Interactive Pet instead?
The Ubooly iPhone/iPod Interactive Pet might bring back memories of Tamagotchies for some, except that these are far more intelligent and interactive. After all, they are able to relate stories to you, and even share some jokes around. Heck, if your kid is bored, the Ubooly iPhone/iPod Interactive Pet will also be able to play games. The thing is, if you happen to “loan” your handset to your kid for them to spend time with the Ubooly iPhone/iPod Interactive Pet, you might not get your phone back, ever, due to the advertised addictive nature of it. Each purchase of the Ubooly iPhone/iPod Interactive Pet comes with free monthly updates that are delivered automatically via Wi-Fi, where it will play nice with the iPhone 3GS, 4, 4s, 5, iPod touch 4G and iPod touch 5 devices.
[ Ubooly iPhone/iPod Interactive Pet copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
As Lord Eddard Stark said, Winter is Coming! And the best way to get ready is, well at least in Japan, not to learn how to fight these creatures from the north, but investing in Thanko’s latest USB Futon Mouse pad warmer. Based on the “original” Japanese Futo concept this mouse pad warmer comes pretty much with everything including a cushion that will act here as a wrist rest, and get ready for a sweat or being “badly” burn since Thanko warned us that its USB …
I’m always on the lookout for interesting items that can set the mood for a good party, or even commemorate a visit from Santa or the Tooth Fairy. Nothing says “surprise” on Christmas morning better than some nifty visual effect that seems magical, and as simple as the concept may be, these Zero Gravity Balloon Weights might just be part of our Christmas.
Fantastic Floatables announces their patent pending “string-less” balloon weight control system which is made up of a series of adhesive backed tabs that can simply be stuck on almost any 18 – 20 inch foil or latex balloon either before or after inflation, and then adjusted to achieve “zero gravity”. (the point at which the ballon will hover in mid-air without the use of a string)
Each sticky tab will raise or lower your balloon about 1 or 2 feet, so once you know exactly what kind of hovering effect you desire, you can add or remove tabs in order to “place” your decorations. As your hovering ornaments begin to loose their buoyancy, you can also remove tabs to keep them hanging around at approximately the same levels.
Fantastic Floatables WeightPacs contain enough weight to float two eighteen inch round balloons, and WeightPacs can be combined to float all kinds of specialty balloons, but the manufacturer suggests their own Neutral Buoyancy Toys, including Super Saucers, so you can be sure of obtaining the special effect that you’re looking for.
So if you’d like to plan your own alien invasion, check out fantasticfloatables.com with WeightPac prices starting at only $1.99 and Saucer kits that include the WeightPac coming it at under 6 bucks, why not create a little holiday magic?
[ Zero Gravity Balloon WeightPacs – No Strings Attached copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
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