World-class bluetooth manufacturer, Jawbone, has just announced a very non-bluetooth device called UP. While it has nothing to do with bluetooth, Jawbone looks to have made an intelligent innovative move into the world of healthy lifestyle gadgets with UP which is a wristband that tracks and encourages your activeness, monitors and improves sleep as well as counts your calorie intake. They’ve also been able to tie in a social aspect by creating “Challenges” where by achieving certain healthy tasks you are rewarded with a Daily Feat Points to show your friends and family that you’re actually getting your butt off the couch and doing something!

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Yes it looks ridiculously cool and I would have loved to have one as a youngster but let’s face it, giving a child control of a 1.6 metre, 180 kilogram exo-suit is not the best idea. Especially if the child is prone to tantrums and hasn’t yet grasped the concept of “No, means no”. Just the thought of the destruction that could be caused by this thing…

Thankfully designer and manufacturer, Sakakibara Kikai, has not put this model into production – the world is a safer place, for now.

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I’ve had so many bluetooth headsets over the years it’s not funny. Despite the many many bluetooth pairings, I am encouraged by the advancements that have been made over the years and I must say that one company that has always sought to lead the pack is Blueant.

Their latest award-winning bluetooth offering, the Blueant Q1, ups the ante again with the focus shifting to voice command.

Check out the Blueant Q1 Bluetooth Headset product description below to see what I mean:

The revolutionary BlueAnt Q1 Voice Controlled Bluetooth Headset with Multipoint takes Bluetooth headsets to the next level of comfort and handsfree experience.

The BlueAnt Q1 uses advanced Voice Recognition software to allow you to easily control the headset and many phone functions just by using your voice.

That’s right: talk to it and it will talk to you.

To hear a list of the available commands just click the BlueAnt button and say “What Can I Say?”.

The BlueAnt Q1 incorporates dual microphones and BlueAnt’s superior Voice Isolation Technology – an advanced software solution that separates the user’s voice from all other sounds resulting in outstanding call quality, no matter where you are.

Features of the Blueant Q1 Bluetooth Headset

• Use your voice to control the Q1 – no more complicated button combinations to remember.
• Supports true multipoint – connect two phones at the same time and answer the one that rings.
• Designed for comfort – the Q1 has been created to be the most comfortable Bluetooth headset enabling all day use.
• Pairs with up to 8 devices.
• Up to 4 hours talk time and 100 hours standby.
• Dual Microphones and BlueAnt’s Voice Isolation Technology ensure that you are always heard, even in the noisiest of environments.
• Custom internal wind shields reduce wind noise to a whisper.
• Firmware upgradeable via USB on your PC.

2 year replacement warranty (excludes ear buds, ear hooks, USB cable and AC adaptor).

I’ll get the chance to check it out in the next couple of days as I have one coming for review. I’m particularly interested in comparing the Blueant Q1 with my Jawbone Prime (which is my primary headset these days) in terms of noise reduction and call quality.

Watch this space

Blueant Q1 Bluetooth Headset Product Page

A friend of mine who is a med student asked me recently what bag she should get to carry around her new 13″ Apple MacBookPro in. I told her to look at the Targus range on their website and she came back saying that her choice, for her lifestyle, would be the Targus Blue 16″ BT Messenger Laptop Bag. Although it was meant to house a laptop slightly larger than her MBP she liked it because of the styling, compartments and of course color!

Targus sent me one only a few weeks ago and I can say first hand that I would definitely recommend the Targus Blue 16″ BT Messenger Laptop bag for university students or anyone who wants a bit more of a casual looking laptop bag.

This is what I liked about the Targus 16″ BT Messenger Laptop Bag:

• the magnetic closing system which makes for easy opening and closing
• material feels tough enough to withstand daily knocking around
• ample padding inside to protect case
• easy-to-access zipper pocket to store things you frequently reach for like car keys, library cards or coins
• thick strap to make lugging your laptop all day more comfortable

Feature List of the Targus 16″ BT Messenger Laptop Bag:

• Protection – Designed to protect up to 16″ widescreen laptops
• Organisation – Includes pen loops, cell phone pocket and numerous zippered compartments for added storage
• Material – Constructed of durable polyester material
• The stylish messenger bag features magnetic side closures and a front zippered compartment to store accessories users may need to access quickly * The lighter grey interior provides visibility to personal items inside the case which features a number of zippered accessory pockets, a cell phone compartment and pen loops
• The BT Messenger also includes a back slip pocket to store files, documents or magazines
• A padded/adjustable shoulder strap is included for added comfort & ergonomic support
• The exterior features a subtle design, making this messenger both stylish and functional for everyday use

Great bag from a great manufacturer! Thumbs up!

Targus – 16″ TARGUS BT BLUE MESSENGER CASE

While the basic idea of this Solar Powered Beanie is applaudable, I don’t think that it’s the best application of solar panels in clothing. A German designer has embedded stylish-cut solar panels into hats and gloves to create green-wear.

The above photo is an example of his handiwork – notice how the panels are shaped in the form of snowflakes? Some have argued that these are too small to generate prolonged power to any heating element. I would add that if it was cold enough to wear a beanie (let’s face it, it’s usually almost close to freezing temperatures), then one would think that it would be mostly overcast compounding the solar ray input problem.

I think the only real situation where this would be useful is for when people go skiing?

What are your thoughts?

Via UberGizmo

Did you know that you could use your humble Nokia / Symbian mobile phone to help tune your brain into a positive state without getting ridiculously plugged up like the guy above?

Whether it be to relax, meditate, learn faster or focus your attention, according to iMobLife, all you need to do is install Brainwave Tuner on your phone, plug in your earphones and listen.

It has an average rating of 4/5 Stars from 33 ratings which is a telling sign that it works for most people. Here are some reviews:

Steven

Have tried for a month, it is really a very useful application. Cheers!

Mona

Yeah,I seldom have a headache recently after listening it for few weeks, I am so happy, so I would like to recommend it here!

Janey

Great! Barainwave Tuner is a very useful software. I have a headache fir years due to long-time’s night work, since I bought this tiny application,my headache is alleviated.Cheers!

Sammy

Since I bought Brainwave Tuner, I listened the music every night before I fall asleep. Gradually, I find that my insomnia is eased! Wonderful!

Ryan

seems very helpful product. Recently my wife’insomnia has eased. Give you 5 stars

Brainwave Tuner is a brain wave stimulation application that generates tones with binaural beats, which can change your brain frequency towards the desired state, be it relaxation or enhanced attention.

12 Preset Sound Patterns are included in BrainWave Tuner:

• Headache therapy: Helps alleviating headaches with mix of steady low tones.
• Meditation: Helps attaining a meditative state of mind quickly. The effect will be better with no noise background or other special effects.
• Sleep induction: Gently moves the brain frequency down to 3Hz, with a fadeout at the end.
• Relaxation: Helps to relax with a basic sweep from regular beta activity (15Hz) down to 7Hz. The end of the sweep is emphasized slightly with a louder volume.
• Self-hypnosis: help getting into a self-hypnotic state. The user should listen to the repeating sound and concentrate on it. The key to successful self-hypnosis is in being able to concentrate on the sound.
• Schumann Resonance: Helps meditating with a steady 7.83Hz tone. This is the resonance frequency of the Earth’s magnetic field, making it a very natural meditation frequency.
• Attention Increase: Helps focusing attention by bringing the brain to a high beta frequency. The frequency is lowered briefly once every 15 seconds to keep the brain more receptive.
• Creativity enhancing (steady): Induces a state of enhanced creativity with three varying theta tones.
• Creativity enhancing (quavering): Induces a state of enhanced creativity with theta tones. The tones are varied to make the brain more responsive to them.
• The awakened mind: Attempts to induce a brain state which is described as being beyond normal meditates states, being characteristic to advanced mediators.
• Quick mental refresher: Quick way of refreshing mentally. Brings the brain frequency down to 10Hz. At the end, brings the frequency back up to 15Hz, then fades away.
• High frequencies: Generates very high-frequency sounds which, according to some sources, should improve general health. Should be listened to with loud-speakers, not headphones.

Features of BrainWave Tuner for Nokia / Symbian:

• Examples of possible uses for brain stimulation
• Relaxation and meditation by entraining your brain into desired states
• Enhancement of learning capabilities (super learning)
• Sleep induction (for treating insomnia or just for falling asleep quicker)
• Focusing attention and enhancing awareness
• Alleviation of headaches and migraines, as well as other pain
• Preparation for stressful situations
• Self hypnosis and/or subliminal programming

Minimum Requirements:

• Full support for Symbian Platform

Display Dimensions
160×240, 176×208, 176×220, 208×208, 240×320, 320×240, 320×480, 352×416, 360×640, 800×320
Operating System
Symbian OS v6, Symbian OS v7, Symbian OS v8 (2nd edition), Symbian OS v9 (3rd edition), Symbian OS v9 (5th edition)

The price is normally US$5.99 but it is currently on special for US$3.99 till 31st December, 2009. Get in fast!

Download Brainwave Tuner Page

So Halloween has come and gone for another year. I was surprised to see so many kids (and parents) take part in this mostly American tradition in a humble outer-west Sydney suburb. What was the best costume that you saw?

Here’s the best Halloween costume I saw this year and it totally hammer-scissor-rawwwks!

Watch it till the end and you’ll see why!

YouTube – Best Halloween Costume Ever

These cufflinks are engraved with an the image of DECEPTICON and an image of AUTOBOTS from the cartoon and movie “Transformers” onto a silver plated frame.You will also receive a black PVC covered cufflink box.Measurements (cufflinks): 0.80 inches (Height) x 0.75 inches (Width), which is equivalent to 2cm x 2cm.

Cufflink box measures: 1.0 inch x 1.60 inches x 3.25 inches (2.5cm x 4cm x 8.1cm).

Via Etsy