get the latest gadgets whether they are practical or not

You can click the above image for the web page with a video.

Especially with a schedule setting, it can be used to turn off batteries automatically to prevent unintentional draining of a battery.

It can also be used to turn on/off battery-powered items remotely and check the status of a battery.

Although a nice concept, I’m not sure of the actual practicality based on its cost. But besides that, sounds like a great idea!

A pool… Nah. But an island? Yes!

From: http://freshome.com/2013/04/03/gorgeous-contemporary-home-inspired-by-the-summer/
Designed by: Canny

First, Google Glass.. Now, Google Shoes?

At first, I thought it was some type of spoof, but Google did show off some “smart shoes” at SXSW. However, Google says they have no interest to be in the shoe market.

Click the above image for the video…

And speaking of Google Glass, you can see the real video of Google Glass in action in my post here or you can see this video of how guys will really use Google Glass.

Click the above image for the video.

This concept e-car by Mitsubishi looks nicer than its current production version:

Perhaps convenient for getting around town in my older years… but if I need something for just getting the groceries, perhaps the following would be better:

And on a related (?) note, they’ve now released a new trailer for the new Star Trek movie:

Click the above image for the latest trailer.

Spoiler: It is disappointing to find out the bad guy is Sherlock Holmes, though.

gets knocked because it looks very dorky…

but Google has released a video of the experience of using Google Glass.

You can click the above image for the video.

It’s still cool.

Bonus: Click here for a video of the skydiving jump: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uh-liQDE3cM

a transparent TV!

So I suppose it can be practical when you don’t want your TV to be an eye sore. Since it is transparent, you could have nice decorations behind the TV…

However, for TVs to work, you need a source for the backlighting. In this case, they’ve separated that from the TV but the backlight is immediately behind the screen… So it’s not quite clear how practical this is yet.

Oh well, did I mention, it’s 3D!!!!

Picture from: http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-01/10/hisense-transparent-tv

I think everyone is familiar with the Microsoft Kinect which can detect your movements, so you can play video games without a controller… and people have used the Microsoft Kinect for various projects, like creating a Minority Report type of interface to the computer to drag and drop by just moving your hands.

Another manufacturer Leap Motion is coming out with a product which is meant to be an attachment to your computer… So you can have all the advantages of a touch interface without actually touching the screen. And you know what this means, no more fingerprints and smudges on your touch-enabled screens!

Click the above image for their website and a demonstration video.

And speaking of smudges on your devices, don’t you hate it when you have fingerprints and smudges on your tablet? Are you wiping the screen yourself? How so 20th century! Why clean your tablet the old-fashioned way? Why not get a Roomba-like cleaning device to automatically clean your tablet for you!

Sorry, no video.

But why flail your arms around which can be tiresome anyway? Another manufacturer has made it possible to navigate on your computer just by looking at your screen. Moving your eyes will move the mouse pointer. It will also allow you to scroll content on your screen. But left blinking and right blinking can be tricky. Just kidding. No left blinking or right blinking.

Can be useful for those with disabilities… or those with hands full at the moment… or those of us who are just too lazy!

Click on the above image for the video on the product. No price yet, but the developer’s model is $995. Ouch!

What if cleaning can be made fun, too? Perhaps with a remote control duster and remote control garbage can, it can!

Click the above image for the commercial. Warning: You’d better have your credit card ready because I’m sure you’ll want to buy it as soon as you see how much fun cleaning can be!

Click on the above image for the instruction video.

Looks like there is a bigger learning curve to learn to ride the Solowheel than Segway. As this guy from Autoweek found out, be prepared to fall down when learning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XrX_MZhEmU

But seems like he didn’t watch the instruction video…

Cheaper than Segway
Portable
Doesn’t look like it’s built to go over curbs

This company has developed a suitcase which follows you.

Click on the above image for the webpage which includes a video. I have no idea whether it will actually make it as a real product, though.

The above company should get with the company that manufactures this suitcase:

The shopping cart which follows you around would also be convenient but also a great help to those with disabilities as seen in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=PDb4feFXzpk#t=53s

(Hopefully your Spanish is pretty good.)

It looks like Whole Foods is also working on a “smart cart”. Too bad they are a racist company..

MIT researchers have come up with a system they call Infinity-by-Nine which provides visuals so that your peripheral vision provides a more immersed experience while watching video content. This can be done based on existing content (ie, any show you watch can take advantage of this system without requiring the content creator to shoot the peripheral images.) It’s cool how they use movement of the video to extrapolate how the content on the peripheral screens should look like (as in panning of the scene so that trees move into or from the peripheral screen).

Click on the above image for the video.

A new startup has come up with a deadbolt lock which can be unlocked with your smart phone.

Click the above image for a not so good (from a video quality point of view) excerpt from ABC’s Shark Tank.

I also considered a lock which has a fingerprint reader—not only from an ease of use point of view but also to ensure not getting locked out of the house. However, having it based on your smart phone is even easier.

Of course, the easiest way to get in and out is through a door similar to the doors they had in Star Trek:

Click the above image from Star Trek to show how someone showed how to create your own automatic pneumatic door.

Actually, quite a few people have come up with “Star Trek” doors if you do a Google search, but the one above is the only one which was done with an automatic opening and closing capability.

Or you can watch the outtakes from Star Trek below where even in Stardate 2817.2, the doors do not always work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZAkGfJY05k
(Best viewed with a small window as the quality is poor.)