Hasta La Gadget!

It seems funny that we want bigger and ‘better’ cars. They’re not doing much for the environment, and they guzzle gas like crazy. Yes, there have been some hybrid cars created, but they cost and arm and a leg. It may be fine and dandy to have one family-sized car, but what about the days when you’re just commuting or running errands? Battling traffic in a van is definitely no fun.

Elio Motors is hoping to change things for the better for you, and the planet. They have created a three-wheeled car that fits two people, and can go 84 miles a gallon, at speeds up to 100 miles an hour (not that you should ever be trying to go that fast).  It’s 160.5 x 54.2”, and can likely take on parallel parking with ease. So not only are you saving money, but you’re also saving space!

This is a USA-made car, and has a really amazing modern design. While it looks a lot smaller than what we normally picture for a vehicle, this is a far better option for those who have to travel a great distance without public transit to and from work. Possibly the best part? This car only costs $6,800. While its trunk is barely large enough to carry a golf bag or a carry on, the benefits outweigh the negatives. It has an 8 gallon tank, which means you’re good to go for about 672 miles. Just try and do that with another car.

Available through Elio Motors, found via thisiswhyimbroke
[ Elio Motors is hoping to change the way we drive, without breaking the bank copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

For the longest time, we have been asking this particular question – will turning on and using our portable electronic devices actually be detrimental to the flight of an aircraft? Would it result in the plane nosediving because its electronics have been scrambled by someone sitting right at the tail end of the plane with his CD player rolling (yes, I am retro is asking this question)? So far, we have not heard of any official stories that the use of portable electronic devices in mid-flight has caused any crashes, and let us hope that the clean record does not get broken, ever. Perhaps the folks over at Delta Air Lines want to change the way the commercial aviation industry works, by being the first US airline to allow its passengers to use their portable electronic devices as long as the plane remains below 10,000 feet in the sky.

When will this happen? Well, it could already have as early as the beginning of this month, pending Federal Aviation Administration approval. After all, the entire fleet of Delta aircraft have already completed carrier-defined PED tolerance testing in order to make sure of the safe operation of passenger portable electronic devices regardless of which flight phase it is in, and Delta’s plan has already been submitted to the FAA for approval.

Over 570 of the mainline domestic aircraft remain ready to allow customer use of e-readers, tablets, and smartphones, all in airplane mode, during taxi, takeoff and landing on domestic flights. That ought to be a boon to all travelers if approved, especially when you consider how most of us these days already have an unlimited data account, making it possible to tweet right there and then as to what you are going to have as your meal. OF course, should you happen to be in a flight that is above 10,000 feet, then there will always be the option of in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity to help you remain connected. Would in-flight connectivity at your own expense below 10,000 feet be enough to help you switch airlines the next time you want to fly?

Press Release
[ Delta Air Lines ready to change the way flights work with the use of portable electronic devices allowed in-flight copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Cycling is no doubt a healthy habit and a kind of exercise which is gaining popularity in many cities around the world. It has also been touted to be one way in reducing massive traffic gridlocks as cities which were built a long time ago did not anticipate the massive growth in population, so much so that the fast growing number of cars and SUVs have contributed their fair share of traffic jams. Well, if you love cycling, that is fine and dandy, but do make sure that you have the adequate amount of protection as you can never tell just what the future might bring. Increasing your visibility at night or in low light conditions are also important, which is why the See.Sense bike light might be a useful addition to your arsenal of cycling devices.

The See.Sense is said to be able to improve your visibility when you need it most, as it does not only flash, but does so in a smart way. The See.Sense bike light is not just something that you decide to add on as an afterthought to your two wheeler, but it works in a way in your favor to make you a whole lot more visible whenever you need it the most. This is made possible as See.Sense Relies on advanced, patent-pending sensor technology which will monitor you, your bicycle and your environment, allowing it to detect situations when you might not be seen by other road users.

There are various examples of a situation where See.Sense might just be able to detect when you are at a road junction, filtering in urban traffic, on a roundabout, travelling in low light areas such as under an overpass or in a road tunnel, or approached by a car with headlights on. In such circumstances, See.Sense will automatically increase its brightness and flash rate so that you are a whole lot more visible to other road users.

There are two models available, a normal one and an “Intense” model. Runtime has been rated at approximately a dozen hours, depending on how heavy your usage is. It is right now a Kickstarter project which we hope to see it become reality in due time.

Kickstarter Page
[ See.Sense bike light helps make it safer for cyclists copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Now, the Hydro Powered Jetovator is definitely a device that would be too large to pack and leave it under a Christmas tree for sure, but I do not mind getting this as an early Christmas gift! Just where do I start where the Hydro Powered Jetovator is concerned? It is a flying, steerable seat which will be able to suspend its rider 25′ in the air thanks to a trio of powerful jets of water. It is easily installed and features a removable U-adapter that will be able to redirects 90% of the rearward thrust of an existing personal watercraft.

There is a 40′ hose which will hook the PWC to the flying seat’s rear, where from there, it will “feed” the seat’s three water jet nozzles with high-volume, low-pressure water so that you will be able to “ride“ for speeds of up to 25 mph. The driver will be able to control the trailing personal watercraft thanks to a pair of individually controlled water nozzle levers so that you can impress the girls by performing backflips, barrel rolls, corkscrews, and even 10′ dives underwater. The Hydro Powered Jetovator is not going to come cheap, however, as all the thrills and spills that accompany it will cost you $7,000 to begin with.
[ Hydro Powered Jetovator makes for the coolest Christmas gift copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Riding a motorcycle can be extremely dangerous. People in cars and larger vehicles seem to have little respect for those on a bike because of their ability to move through traffic a little bit faster (whether or not they’re supposed to). This is of course, extremely foolish, as they are far more protected inside of their metal covered vehicle than those on a motorbike. It’s pretty impossible to take a call or send text messages while you ride unless you have a death wish.

Of course, there are all sorts of pricey equipment out there that will let you call friends, or listen to music. However, I can’t say I’ve come across something like the Skully P1 Helmet before. This takes motorist connectivity quite seriously, and the most interesting feature is that there is a rear view camera that will show 180 degrees of what is behind you while you ride.

This heads up display appears to be several feet in front of you, and is advertised to not distract you on the road. It is capable of taking voice commands for texting, calls, navigation and more. This is a helmet you have to charge via micro USB, but one good charge should have you set for around 9 hours. At the present, there isn’t any pricing or availability just yet, but as the holiday season creeps ever closer, you can bet more information will surface soon. It is said to have a 2014 release date.

More information at Skully, found via technabob
[ Skully P1 Helmet will let motorcyclists see behind and in front copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]