Latest Posts on Coolest Gadgets

Manhattan dweller creates “Origami Apartment”
Nyko’s Zoom makes the Kinect better for smaller rooms
These Earbuds from iFrogz Transport you elsewhere, audibly
Sennheiser gives HD 200 and HD 400 headphone lines an upgrade
JBL OnBeat Air grooves to Airplay technology
R2-D2 Snow Globe

Manhattan dweller creates “Origami Apartment”

Posted: 14 Nov 2011 07:30 AM PST

I always loved reporting on people who create the most out of a small space. As someone who lives in a small space, I guess I just can’t help myself.

We have reported on a man in Hong Kong who created a Domestic Transformer or the Tokyo man who builds his home in a parking space.

These architects Michael Chen and Kari Anderson work for Normal Projects, and they have created a flexible space in one of the most over-populated city in the world: New York City. There is a video of it after the jump if you want to see how it works.

You can see that there is a terrific big blue cabinet that serves as a bed, table, wall, shelf, and closet. As the architects say: “everything has a purpose” and “more is more”.

I used to think that spaces like these reminded me of the cramped space in The Fifth Element, where Bruce Willis lived in this dwelling that was more of a modular shifting closet than a home.

However, when I see spaces like this, I feel good about a future where people live in small, yet cozy places. My attitude is: if you have to live there out of necessity, then you might as well make the best of a small situation.

Source

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ Manhattan dweller creates “Origami Apartment” copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Nyko’s Zoom makes the Kinect better for smaller rooms

Posted: 14 Nov 2011 07:15 AM PST

One of the things that is required of the Microsoft Kinect is that it requires some room between the user and the unit itself. I can honestly say that in my current living room space, the Kinect wouldn’t function at top capacity.

Nyko, makers of some quality video game merchandise, have figured out the problem and created the Zoom. The Zoom is “ideal for small rooms and confined spaces”, and allows the user to “play up to 40 percent closer”.

I realize that I am just quoting the company, but I had a chance to see it work at E3 last June. Not only can it allow for a player for less space, but two people can play in space where once only one could before.

No additional calibration or software is required, all you have to do is clip it on. Do not slide it on, it says it on the product.

The Zoom itself isn’t really technically complicated, as it is just a bunch of lenses. The set up is not too complex, and Nyko has once again given its users just what it needs at the right time, especially with those who live in dorms or small apartments.

Kinect owners in small places, this could be what you are looking for! Get it on the Nyko website for about $29.99 here.

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[ Nyko’s Zoom makes the Kinect better for smaller rooms copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

These Earbuds from iFrogz Transport you elsewhere, audibly

Posted: 14 Nov 2011 07:00 AM PST

In case you haven’t realized, the title of this particular posting is a pun. This is going to be an article about the Transport from iFrogz.

We have reviewed iFrogz products before, and we just did the Vertex Cushioned headphones. Those particular over-the-ear models come with a microphone built within, and it is apparently the new standard for headphones.

It also looks like it is the new standard for earbuds. The Transport has a microphone built right in the wire, and I have tested it out. It works, even though I had to hold it a little closer to my mouth than I wanted to. Too bad, as I wish the microphone would just hang near my neck.

Still, it is proof that the microphone is the new standard of headphone. I will proclaim it now, and whoever wants to quote me on it can do it now. This means that any headphones or earbuds that don’t have a microphone on them will soon be given the same antique credibility of a rotary phone.

I think it is appropriate that iFrogz has the symbol of three points and three lines on the side of the earbuds (check the image if you are confused as to what I refer to). To me, it symbolizes the two ears to hear and the one mouth for the microphone. Or it could be that it is the symbol is a frog’s foot, and well-suited for a company known as iFrogz.

Perhaps I am reading too much with my excitement of a microphone on every set of headphones and earbuds. If you want the Transport, you should be able to purchase them on the iFrogz site for about $39.99.

Cool Gift Idea: Digital Picture Frames, check out our reviews.
[ These Earbuds from iFrogz Transport you elsewhere, audibly copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Sennheiser gives HD 200 and HD 400 headphone lines an upgrade

Posted: 14 Nov 2011 05:30 AM PST

Sennheiser does dish out a mean pair of headphones that are not exorbitantly priced, clearly occupying the middle class segment of things by their attempts at making the most of your hard-earned cash. Well, this time around, the popular HD 200 and HD 400 headphone lines have been given an upgrade, where there are six new models to choose from – namely the HD 219, HD 229, HD 239, HD 429, HD 439 and the HD 449 headphones.

All of them will feature a significant acoustic upgrade from stock headphones thanks to their fashion-forward design, where individual headphones will stand out with bold colors and an intricate ear cup design. Apart from that, you will also be able to enjoy a wide range of sonic signatures that ought to work for just about any music fan. All half dozen models have also been optimized for listening on MP3 players, tablets, Android, Windows and Blackberry smartphones, laptops, netbooks and Apple devices, although select models will boast rotating earcups or cable systems that are more suitable for portable or at home use.

The Sennheiser HD 229 that you see above in orange/white will deliver thick, rich bass performance, where it will also sport powerful neodymium magnets so that your ears can enjoy precise stereo sound with impressive depth. As for the closed ear cup design, it will do its part to wedge the audio in, while making sure unwanted background noise remains where it rightfully belongs – on the outside. The HD 229 will retail for $79.95 if you are interested.

Other models like the HD 239, the HD 429, the HD 439, and the HD 449 will retail for $79.95, $99.95 and $119.95, respectively. The HD 239 will boast of outstanding and balanced sound and is optimized for both portable players and home audio systems. There is also the presence of powerful neodymium magnets as well as a frequency response of 16 to 23,000 Hz, enabling the HD 239 to deliver hyper-realistic and detailed sound reproduction.

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[ Sennheiser gives HD 200 and HD 400 headphone lines an upgrade copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

JBL OnBeat Air grooves to Airplay technology

Posted: 14 Nov 2011 05:00 AM PST

When it comes to audio devices, you know for sure (your ears probably won’t be able to fool you) when you see the logo “JBL” emblazoned across, that quality will be there. I guess that is the case for most, as I am quite sure that there will be a group of you out there who will disagree. Well, one of JBL’s latest releases would be the JBL OnBeat Air – a device that is said to deliver incredible sound over the wireless technology from Apple known as Airplay, letting you stream your favorite tunes via your laptop, iPhone or iPad.

Needless to say, being wireless does not mean it will work throughout your home, unless you live in a small one-bedroom studio. There will definitely be blind spots around, but generally speaking, a room by itself would do just fine, and that is where most folks would confine the use of the OnBeat Air to anyways. As for audio quality, you can be sure that this versatile music player will feature digital sound processing equalization, sporting dual Phoenix full-range transducers that roll out a room-filling soundscape.

Retailing for $249.95 a pop, the JBL OnBeat Air will also come with an adaptable docking station that is able to fit an iPad, iPhone or iPod in either portrait or landscape mode. If you prefer not to drain more battery from your device via a wireless connection, there is always the option to take the 30-pin dock connector route. As for those who do not rock to iOS-powered devices, you can always hook it up to the OnBeat Air via Wi-Fi or the built-in auxiliary input jack. Yes sir, this means Android smartphone owners need not worry and can still get one of these for themselves.

Aprat from that, the OnBeat Air will also come with an IR remote control which allows you to quickly navigate iTunes songs, playlists and videos. Alternatively, this can be a great videoconference tool if you use Apple's FaceTime or take advantage of Skype. Are you looking for a speaker dock for your smartphone? The JBL OnBeat Air seems to be a decent enough addition to any room.

Company Page

Coolest Gadgets UK – For all your UK centric tech and gadget news.
[ JBL OnBeat Air grooves to Airplay technology copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

R2-D2 Snow Globe

Posted: 14 Nov 2011 04:30 AM PST

You know for sure that George Lucas must be scraping the bottom of the Star Wars franchise barrel with such an idea – the $9.99 R2-D2 Snow Globe, but I am also equally confident that there will be future winners down the road assuming he and his team rediscover their creative juices. This is basically a gift idea for the upcoming holiday season, where you get R2-D2 wearing a Santa hat with gifts in tow. You know what would be cool? Assuming you shake this Snow Globe to have it experience a white Christmas on the planet Hoth, R2-D2 ought to emit some beeps while lighting itself up – I am quite sure that can be done if some sort of kinetic energy mechanism is built-in, but considering the price you fork out for this officially licensed Star Wars collectible, I guess this will remain but a pipe dream. Perhaps in the next iteration?