As Close to Superman as You can Get

This gadget article is for those special travelers who are purely gadget crazy and feel that life at any point without a gadget is purely meaningless. These are gizmos that lovers of technology will freak over thanks to their pure functionality and utilitarian use. These are gadgets which might sound very weird and quirky to you, but once you take a closer look, you will realize that these bizarre and weird looking widgets do actually make sense in your life. This couldn’t be any truer if you are a traveler. As you know, bringing along all of life’s little necessities can be hassle, and most portable options you find are just useless. Not anymore. Now you can travel light and bring along even the most comfortable comforts from home. Now it will feel as though you are home, no matter where you are headed. Travel with as little baggage as possible with these top travel gadgets.

DUO Portable Sanitizer

Firstly, there comes the toothbrush. Now for all those clean and hygiene freaks around, a toothbrush is something that is absolutely essential while traveling, regardless of whether it is in the Himalayas or in the Amazon rainforests. The habits of cleanliness freaks aside, it is also a matter of pure health and hygiene as well. A toothbrush however can be a hot bed of germs as they tend to be overused and as a result they become like mini germ factories, on their own, and end up putting your beloved teeth at risk. This DUO Portable Sanitizer is a very handy little contraption that not only can hold up to two toothbrushes, but also has a built in UV light, which is very effective in killing all the microbes that lurk within your toothbrush. The sanitizer has a wall mount and a sanitizing cycle of about seven minutes. Now you can keep your teeth and your toothbrush clean, even in the dirtiest of destinations.

Cool, Classic Cocktails wherever you Travel

Are you a margarita freak? Then the Margarita Machine can become your constant traveling companion, wherever you may choose to go. All you have to do is get your hands on the Cordless Margaritaville Frozen Margarita Machine. Just charge it up and start creating a variety of mind numbing cocktails. Once it is charged you can whip up over seventy delicious margaritas at one go in itself. It can mix up to seventy drinks on a fully charged battery and also has an automated ice shaving feature that blends in the ice with the margarita. It also has 4 preset drink programs which means less time actually blending, and more time drinking.

See Farther and Bike Harder

The following contraption is one of the latest from the Nike house. It is called the Nike Hindsight and seems to be aptly named as it is meant for the city commuters who brave everyday traffic in the city to get to and fro from their workplace and home. While it seems to work for anyone it is obviously meant for bikers who have to weave in and out of traffic all the time. Biking through the city, or even through desolate country, often requires very clear vision and thanks to crazy city traffic and loose cattle there are objects that can come running around from every corner possible. This makes biking around an obvious hazard, or at least it used to. These glasses extend the vision of bike rider to about 25 percent on each side, which is more than the normal vision of a human being. Without these glasses one can usually only see 180 degrees in forward vision. These glasses may be about as close as you get to superhuman powers, at least until Nike comes up with some running shoe that helps you leap over tall buildings. 

Nature2 Spa Stick Mineral Sanitizer for Portable Spas NEW FREE SHIP US $37.43 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 5:04:45 PST   | Watch this Item

Haan QuickPro Portable Travel Steamer & Sanitizer TS-30 US $56.95 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 8:00:48 PST   | Watch this Item

Hygenie-Portable Bottle Sanitizer US $32.15 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 10:43:46 PST   | Watch this Item

Your Personal Music Playing Robot

People are always fascinated and intrigued by the concept of robotics, and the idea of having pseudo human beings who can do work and take on a lot of human roles. Entire texts in literature and science fiction have been created focusing on robots, and a number of sci fi movies have been made about robots and their role in changing the human world all around them. There have been prolific movies like RoboCop and AI and a million others,  the entire list would take forever  to go through. On top of fiction, in reality scientists all over the world are constantly trying to build the newest and most advanced robots that can be created with the human mind.

There are robots that can do household chores and then there are certain others who can imitate and express a variety of human expressions. And of course then there are other robots who do the work that humans are not capable of, like landing on an alien planet and picking up materials for research. Here are a few innovative robots that could make life much easier for you. And if you are an avid reader of the Isaac Asimov-written series, then this is going to be a walk in the park for you.

The Shadow Caddy Robot
There is the Shadow Caddy robot which is exactly what the name proclaims itself to be. It is a new golfing innovation where it follows you around as you play your game on the golf course, and carries all the equipment that you require. It is like having a human caddy all on your own, except that it is a robotic one at that. This is an electronic and three wheeled robot. The best part is that it works without any form of remote control.

Robotic Beer Fridge
If you are one of those people, I know I am, who can’t get through life without guzzling down bottles of beer, then this Beer Launching Fridge is just for you. This was created by John W. Cornwell and is a mini fridge. It can hand out beers to people who are at a certain distance. All you need to do is let it know how far away your guests are and voila, consider it done.  The beer is put on an elevator like structure and once it is outside the fridge, it is passed on through a catapult system through remote control. All in all it can hold about 14 cans of beer. Hosting a super bowl party has never been easier.

The iWoofer
The iWoofer is a portable speaker for your cherished ipod. It works with ipods which have a capacity of about 2 GB and above. Also it can hold the ipod shuffle as well. It is designed like one of those cute little aliens that you see in those high tech science fiction movies. The iWoofer has four legs and  and a face as well. It has two 3 watt satellite speakers with 30 mm full range drivers and neodymium aluminum speaker cones.

The Robotic Violinist

Finally, here is one which is tailor made for the music lovers who love their Mozart and Chopin. This robot is aptly and rather simply called the robot violinist. It can mime human gestures and do exactly what it is supposed to do, play the violin, that is. This handy little robot has been released by Toyota.

Kotobukiya Super Robot Wars OG EO-Tech R-1 Real Personal Trooper Type-1 1/100 US $69.99 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 19:29:07 PST   | Watch this Item

ROBOT PARTY Cricut Expression Create Personal Cutter E2 Machine Cartridge Events US $29.84 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 16:01:08 PST   | Watch this Item

Personal Robotics: Real Robots to Construct, Program, a US $14.95 Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 12:16:46 PST   | Watch this Item

Stalkers Just Got a Whole Lot More High Tech...Thanks FlyChat

Where is the fine line between networking and just plain creepy? Does anyone even know anymore? If you do would you drop me a note and let me know?

Facebook seemed to create a whole new society of stalkers and horny high school drop outs. Twitter built upon that concept just a little, and now a new iPhone application called FlyChat is preparing to redefine the term creepy. While I will be the first to admit that most social networking applications and websites have a bit of creepiness in them, they deal with accepted levels of creepy. FlyChat has a long way to go before it hits that socially accepted level of creepiness.

What is FlyChat?

Here are the awkward basics. While social networking sites give you the ability to accept or reject virtual strangers, FlyChat is aiming to take down those borders. MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter limit you to being able connect and chat with people that you know, or at least partially know. The iPhone application FlyChat wants you to branch out and connect with people that are close to you in location and share the same “interests”.

What you do is download the application for $1.99 and then create a little note called a “Fly”. Any one else in the area you select to attach your fly to can then view your note and your profile and respond to you if they choose to. Sounds like a stalker’s paradise doesn’t it? Creepy guy staring at you on the bus? Check your phone, he probably sent you a Fly note. Further, now instead of having to go up to a cute girl you see in the coffee shop, you can automatically text her from your iPhone, as long as you have this application. It brings rejection to a whole new level.

 
To be Fair…..

 
There are going to be a lot of people out there who will probably fall in love with this application and admittedly it may be useful in some ways. Consider taking a business trip to a different area where you do not know anyone. You can search on FlyChat and connect with people, network, and not have to sit in your Motel 6 all alone. Obviously there are quite a few dangers that would coincide with this sort of interaction though, and there is no way any father would be ok with their daughter connecting on any relatable application. My mom’s lessons relating to never talking to strangers have seemingly gone completely out the window.

 
While social networks that are used based on location are quite intriguing, the problem is that they quickly fill up with the wrong kind of people. Even if that doesn’t happen with FlyChat it really leaves me with one major concern. I now have to spend money to meet new people and make friends.
Doesn’t it sound scarily like high school all over again?

iPhone 3D Programming: Developing Graphical Application US $33.09 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:14:10 PST   | Watch this Item

Developing Hybrid Applications for the iPhone: Using HT US $37.92 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 18:00:09 PST   | Watch this Item

iPhone SDK Application Development: Building Applications for the AppStore, Jona US $5.74 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 22:31:56 PST   | Watch this Item

Some People Call Them a Bad Apple

This is breaking news, in a way, but is not surprising at all. Apple has decided to block the ability for Palm Pre phones to sync up with iTunes 8. I am in no way surprised by Apple’s “Microsoft Style Tactics” (although I think it is safe to say that even Microsoft wouldn’t go this low) but I am surprised at how sneakily they went about.

Apple has ensured that the Palm Pre will not sync up thanks to their latest update, iTunes 8.2.1. The update states nothing in terms of what it is doing but simply sends a message to the tune of, “ Please update your software so that we can fix a number of important bugs and verify your Apple device”. If they went about things the right way the update should say” Dear User, we are a greedy, monopolistic company that refuses to let anyone share, use, or function in life without adhering to our strict demands. PS- iTunes will be running for the presidency come the 2012 election”.

Once you install the update (thinking you are helping Apple fix bugs) your Palm Pre will not be allowed to sync to the program any longer. It really is up to you to consider how annoying this little maneuver is. If you own a Palm Pre then you already know that there are other ways to get and play music, but this has to be about the principles.

In fact, I completely take back the fact that I compared this update to “Microsoft Style Tactics”. This is on a whole new level. For Microsoft to compete with this kind of blatant attempt at strong arming the market Windows would have to start blocking iTunes. Apple choosing to not allow their software to work with other products is a blatant violation of business ethics and personal morals.

If Apple is so confident with their software and products, which they clearly are, then why do they continually adopt this sort of “you can’t play in my backyard” attitude? Their anti-competitive tactics are getting downright frustrating and I wish someone would take a stand. Some people are calling for boycotts, others want the FTC to step in, but is anyone really going to do anything?

As much as their attitude and the way they do business bothers me, I still won’t do anything about it, for the same reason as everyone else. Their products are excellent, their software is useful, and they seem to be the only company that actually creates anything or comes up with useable and realistic innovations. Until a competitor comes up with products that can replace the iPod, how could we be expected to boycott? It would be comparable to boycotting a major gas station, when it is the only one in town.

Then again, I guess this is just my opinion, I’m sure you have your own, and I know Apple probably has quite a few of their own.

And just to be on the safe side (I cannot afford to be sued) ………………………….

DISCLAIMER

iPod is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc.
IPhone is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc.

Please purchase and use Apple products. They are just so fantastic and the higher ups at Apple are very generous, caring, and unselfish. 

VERIZON WIRELESS PALM PRE PLUS GPS CAMERA CELL PHONE US $39.95 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 12:48:23 PST   | Watch this Item

ProClip Car Holder for Palm Pre - New - Custom Fit Holds Phone Open US $19.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 13:17:16 PST   | Watch this Item

OEM Palm Pre Original Smart Phone AC USB Wall Adapter US $5.25 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 13:49:21 PST   | Watch this Item

Apple is Competing with McDonald's for Most Customers Served

Apple is on its way to becoming one of, if not the, most dominating cell phone providers on the market. The company is not there yet but they have to be comfortable with the direction they are headed. And if you, the consumer, aren’t convinced that Apple is the innovative leader then just take a look at the mobile applications downloads that the company has inspired.

Happy First Birthday

Fresh off celebrating Apple’s App Store’s 1st birthday, CEO Steve Jobs announced that the store has allowed for 1.5 billion application downloads for the iPod Touch and iPhone. While the people over at Apple have always been rather cocky about what they are doing, there is no doubting that the Apple App Store has set itself apart from anything we have seen before. They have a right to be confident, a right to be cocky, and a right to celebrate the fact that it is going to be hard for any other company to even come close to catching up. The sheer quality and large scale of the store is unlike anything we are likely to see from the competition.

Consumers Popping Up Out of Nowhere

While the App Store got out to a quick start it seems that the customers that are purchasing downloads for applications is increasing all the time. After 9 months in existence Apple announced that there had been 1 billion apps downloaded and now just 3 months later there has been another 500 million. The numbers are clearly being bumped up by new owners of the iPhone 3GS as they enjoy the wide range of 65,000 applications available. To say the least this success is inspiring and will cause competition in the market, but can anyone really compete?

Here Comes the Competition

This past week Verizon announced that they will be heading in the direction of an application store for their phones and RIM, Palm, and Nokia seem to be headed in the same direction. There are also already repositories that sell apps that only function with Android platforms. Now, while there are doubts that other companies will be able to compete with Apple, there is in fact some wiggle room that should allow them to make up some ground.

Apple is Essentially a Disgruntled, Hard-Edged Boss

With all of its success it is hard to take note of some of the problems that come with the Apple App Store. Truth be told, some companies are getting downright frustrated with the ambiguous policies that seem to be applied when dealing with Apple. Certain apps get the stamp of approval within seconds, while other comparable apps get denied for no specific reason. Many developers of applications may be excited for a breath of fresh air and to deal with a company that isn’t so wishy-washy or hesitant when it comes to decisions. Apple does not pursue any Q&A process and really ignores the developers as a part of the process. But is that enough to cut down on Apple’s stranglehold on the market?

In essence, other mobile phone companies should have no problem persuading application developers to move their services over, right? That is where the problem lies. Even though the developers are frustrated those download numbers we just talked about are staggering. Think about how much attitude you have to put up with when dealing with people above you in your company, or how much brownnosing you need to do to get the promotion you want. Plus on top of that there are now over 40 million consumers that own an iPod Touch or an iPhone. Pretty sure all that developers will put up with an infinite amount of attitude and judgement just to get their product in front of 40 million consumers. Wouldn’t you?

iPhone 3D Programming: Developing Graphical Application US $33.09 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:14:10 PST   | Watch this Item

Developing Hybrid Applications for the iPhone: Using HT US $37.92 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 18:00:09 PST   | Watch this Item

iPhone SDK Application Development: Building Applications for the AppStore, Jona US $5.74 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 22:31:56 PST   | Watch this Item

Blockbuster Stores May Be Closing, But They Aren't Giving Up

To put it lightly, Blockbuster has been taking a beating over the last little while thanks to on demand movies and companies such as Netflix. It appears they aren’t going to take the losses sitting down though and are ready to fight back. Blockbuster recently inked a deal with Samsung that will ensure that Blockbuster’s OnDemand service will come packaged with a whole host of Samsung products, such as home theater systems, Blu-ray players and HDTV’s starting this fall. On top of that, consumers who have purchased or will be purchasing products before the integration is complete will be offered a free upgrade to the Blockbuster service via firmware at a later date. 

Why Samsung?

I know what you are thinking. Samsung has to be getting something in return right? Blockbuster will now be shelving and selling all sorts of exclusive Samsung products in their retail stores and online. The partnership allows Samsung to reach a whole new audience and get their products out there while giving Blockbuster some assurance that their OnDemand service will not fall by the wayside. Whether this venture will work or not for Blockbuster remains to be seen.

Blockbuster Gets Bullied By NetFlix

With NetFlix and Hulu dominating the market right now there isn’t too much to persuade consumers to buy into what Blockbuster has to offer. Then again, every little bit helps. If the service already comes pre-packaged with that killer LED HDTV you have been looking at, chances are you will be too lazy to switch to something else. I know I would be. Will all the hustle and bustle of today’s world, added fees and expensive technology, would you have the patience to switch over to another OnDemand system or continue to order from NetFlix? Even if all you had to do to use Blockbuster was push a button while sitting on the couch and have everything get done for you? If you have the energy, I applaud you. But my guess is that you aren’t the type of consumer that Blockbuster is after in the first place then are you?

Samsung BD-P1200 Blu-Ray Disc DVD Player **PARTS/FIX ME** US $0.99 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 12:35:18 PST   | Watch this Item

Samsung BD-C5900 Blu-Ray Player US $130.00 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 12:37:32 PST   | Watch this Item

Samsung bd-c5500 WiFi Ready Blu-Ray DVD Player US $59.99 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 13:04:31 PST   | Watch this Item

Technology and gadgets are a lot like friends. We love to have them or it around, and they can be entertaining, but when you have had enough, they just don’t seem to know when to go away. Some gadgets are like the friend on your couch who said he would only stay for a week, and that was 6 months ago. While technology can make our lives easier and more fun, it can often be comparable to that one annoying friend we all have. You know, the one that makes you laugh a couple of times yet doesn’t seem to know when to shut up. Don’t get me wrong, I love my friends and I love technology. Problem is that both of them seem to take it too far at times. To give you a better idea of what I am talking about here are 5 gadgets and applications that, just like your old buddy from college, seemed useful at first but are now just flat out annoying.

1- Ringtones

One simple question comes to mind when I think about ringtones. Why? Why would anyone want Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice” to start playing during a job interview or have “I don’t know what you heard about me, but I’m a Mother F$#&*n P.I.M.P” begin blasting out during a first date? In a world where we know that first impressions can last a lifetime, why do so many people subject themselves to the ridicule that can follow a ringtone? And the worst part of it all is the people that call themselves, or let their phone ring off the hook so that the ringtone can get to the best part.

If you love a song so much, download it, put it on your MP3 player, and use those magical little things called headphones. And doesn’t it seem the most annoying ringtones are always the loudest? I have a hard enough time pulling myself out of bed to take the train to work. That is without having to be jarred awake from my mid-morning nap to the sound of Steven Tyler whining about love when someone’s phone rings. Forget “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing”, ringtones alone make me want to miss everything.

2- Laptop Batteries

Do you remember when laptops first came out? Oh, the excitement we all felt. No more being chained to a desk, no more dealing with annoying plugs, and simply more fun time on the go. It was a wonderful thought at the time, but something that has never quite come to fruition. To be honest, I own three laptops. Each one set up in a different area of the house, plugged in and ready to go. In fact, they haven’t moved in months. They have become stapled to the desk the same way that my old desktop computer was. I am as chained to my desk as I ever was. The only difference now is that the keyboard is more annoying, the screen is smaller, and my computer is slower. Sure new laptops promise 8 hours of battery life, but for how long?

If you are in the market for a new laptop, get used to it. The 8 hours of battery life is fantastic but you better enjoy it while it lasts. With all the supped up technology we have these days, and thousands of companies and scientists working on new innovations, no one has come up with a laptop battery that actually works for an extended period of time. Oh, the freedom of a laptop was glorious for a few months. Now, two of my three laptops have become glorified paperweights. I may as well glue them to my desk. They aren’t going anywhere as it is, and then there is no risk of me knocking it on the floor and ruining the screen.

3-Cell Phone Cameras

I am trying not to sound too bitter or jaded here but I am a big fan of singular use technology. If I want a camera, I will buy a camera. Call me old fashioned but I like to use my cell phone for calling people, text messaging, and the occasional game of Sudoku. You may argue that the convenience of having a camera installed in your cell phone is worthwhile, but I just think it’s adding to the abundance of worthless pictures all over the internet.

What’s worse? I can’t pass out at a friendly gathering, sleep on the train to work. or even have a snooze at the office, without worrying about someone creepily zooming in with their camera phone. If you want to capture memories on film invest in a camera. In my opinion, cell phone cameras are grainy, tacky, and only really useful for stalkers or people trying desperately to win America’s Funniest Home Videos on a daily basis.

4-Annoying Toolbars

This is not an exaggeration. Every single time I open my internet explorer it seems that I have somehow downloaded a new toolbar. Whether it’s from trying to watch videos online, or installing some new program, it seems that everything comes with a toolbar. Maybe it is my own fault for not noticing the add-ons when I install new programs, but I refuse to take the blame. Zango, Yahoo, and every other toolbar in between drive me up the wall. It gets to the point where I can’t even find the search portion of internet explorer without trying to close down 9 different toolbars. And the worst part is that they don’t even listen. I try to close them, they refuse. I try to uninstall them and they won’t let me. They are the single smartest applications, yet the dumbest at the same time.

I don’t like to use the word “hate” very much. My dad always taught me that it was an inappropriate word and should only be used to describe things that are the bane of my existence. I don’t “hate” cell phone cameras and I don’t “hate” ringtones. However (sorry dad) I HATE annoying toolbars. Please someone help me start a petition or beg these companies to stop making them. If something doesn’t happen soon I am going to have to start watching television the old fashioned way, on my TV. Now where is the fun in that?

5- 3D and Virtual Reality Glasses

I know a lot of people love 3D glasses and movies at the Imax. To be honest, when I go see a 3D movie I don’t even put the glasses on. The strain on my eyes just isn’t worth it. Do movies really have to be put into 3D to make them more realistic?  The Exorcist was scary enough for me as it is thank you very much. Let alone video games. When I was a kid, playing Resident Evil in the basement of my parent’s house was terrifying enough. (Ok, I admit. That happened last week) The last thing I need is to wrap some 3D glasses around my head so that I cannot see anything else that is going on.

I think some major companies are thinking that virtual reality glasses are going to be a great option for people who are bored on the train to work. However, do any of you really feel safe sitting on the subway or train without being able to see anything going on around you? If I am playing Resident Evil, and slaying zombies that pop out of every corner, when someone tries to sell me a flower on the train, I cannot be held responsible for what happens. Whether I turn around and smack the little girl selling flowers or end up screaming like a little school girl remains to be seen. Either way, it isn’t going to be pretty. I will stick to my Nintendo DS thanks.

Those are the top 5 gadgets or applications that I find more annoying than Alanis Morissette in her prime. (That is a lie too; I still bob my head to Jagged Little Pill now and then) This is by no means a complete listing as I am sure I will rant to you about a few more in the future. But you have definitely heard enough from me for now. What bothers you? Feel free to share any pieces of technology that really grind your gears. Trust me, it will feel a lot better to get it off your chest, and you can take solace in knowing that I understand exactly where you are coming from.

Is Nokia's Technology Taking a Step Backwards?

It really seems like hundreds of patents are flying out every day. Truth be told, this doesn’t really mean we will see the new idea, invention, or gadget any time soon. The patent process is just a way for companies to guarantee that an idea is theirs, before they even decide if it will work, or sell. Doesn’t it seem like there are only two companies out there that are really acting as innovators or bringing anything to fruition? Apple and Google. Many companies patent a number of ideas everyday, but many go unnoticed or are brushed off as ridiculous or just plain useless.

Nokia Gets Serious?

Now it appears Nokia is trying to join the fray. The Finnish phone company has now patented an idea that looks to pave the way towards wearable electronics. The patent uses embedded sensors in certain types of fabric and the idea of gesture control to send messages to certain electronic devices, mainly phones.

A Tribute to Drag Queens Around the World

Sounds pretty cool, right? Debatable. First off, just because Nokia has filed a patent doesn’t mean that this type of technology will be around anytime in the near future, or at all. Secondly, if you are picturing the hip wristwatches that James Bond wears and uses to blow things up, forget about it. The design concept that Nokia has come up with looks a lot more like something Michael Jackson would have worn in his prime, (God rest his soul) or something you would see a drag queen wearing at a carnival. We are talking long, stretchy material that restricts the movement of your hands. It will probably end up being sparkly and maybe even be as bulky as the original Nintendo Power Glove.

Gucci Meets Inspector Gadget

And this whole concept goes far beyond silky, stretchy, and uncomfortable fabric. Nokia also wants to extend the concept to sunglasses. Forget Gucci, Prada, Ray-Bans or the favorite designer of your choice. Ever thrown on a pair of glow in the dark sunglasses at a party or during a fireworks show? That will give you a little bit of an idea of what you can look forward to.  To say the least, Nokia is going to have to come up with something a little more stylish, sleek, and attractive if they want every day people to fall in love with this technology.

Still excited? Think a form fitting glove or multicolored sunglasses will fit right into your current look? Don’t hold your breath. As we have learned in the past, patents are just a small stepping stone in the entire process, and while technology is booming these days, absolutely nothing is a guarantee. And maybe we should just sit back and be thankful if these “innovative” ideas fall through.

Office Parties Just Got a Lot More Intense

Do you remember a post a few days ago? We were discussing new applications for computers and wondering just how far technology will go. At the time we joked about just how far USB related products would go. There is already a microwave, so how far off could something like the iCar be? Well the whole USB product conversation isn’t really a laughing matter anymore. To be honest, there aren’t many things that are still funny after chainsaws get thrown into the mix.

Remember the good old days when the worst thing a coworker could do was hack into your email and send racy memos to the whole office? Devastating at the time right? Believe me, that type of interoffice turmoil is going to be sorely missed now. That is, now that the USB compatible iSaw chainsaw has been invented. No need to reread that last sentence, you read it right the first time. For all you lumberjacks at heart that fear coming across an uncut tree while lurking around on Twitter, you now have an answer to all your problems.

Come the fall of 2009 the iSaw will be for sale to anyone and everyone that feels the need to combine computer technology and basic carpentry. And the best part of it all, the iSaw is going to be compatible with PC’s and Mac’s. If this new creation doesn’t revolutionize the battle of the entire computer market, what will?

Who Would Actually Try and Order One?………….ahem..cough…cough

While the thought of the iSaw has been enough to give all carpentry enthusiasts real “wood”, and get office peace activists all riled up, the truth is that the iSaw is a clever and currently very successful marketing scheme. The product is being discussed everywhere, people are digging articles about it like mad, and people are already making real life plans on how the atmosphere in the office will change. Why have so few people noticed that there is no such thing as the iSaw? Because you don’t find out about the marketing ploy until you are ready to order, and clearly there are not that many Dwight Shrute’s in the office place. (A depressing fact, but still true)

When you visit the official website for the USB powered chainsaw, www.usbchainsaw.com, you will be greeting with photos, descriptions, a clever sales page, and even a full demonstration video. However, upon trying to order (keep your judgments to yourself please, I was intrigued) the website lets you know that the jig is up. So what is the website actually trying to sell if it isn’t the iSaw? Simple. Environmental awareness.

Your Keyboard is the Chainsaw……Get it?

The website creators are comparing your keyboard and your printer to a chainsaw, and it is a fact that we should consider. With the added technology we have today, easy access to scanners, printers, and fax machines, every one of us is wasting an unnecessary amount of paper each day. In case you need a reminder of what you are doing when you print out 500 copies of your resume, when you only need 3, you can download a free program from the iSaw website. It will play the loud, provocative sound of a chainsaw revving up every time you click the print button.

While some people are going to be disappointed, maybe even upset, about the fact that the iSaw is not real; let’s give the ploy some credit. It got people’s attention and as far as I am concerned it got its point across. Have a laugh, send the website to your friends, and take advantage of email and phones. Stop using your keyboard as a chainsaw and only print off things that you are going to use. Better yet, use recycled paper when you do. Heck, in these financially hard times a new company may give you a face to face interview if your resume is printed on an old bubble gum wrapper. It shows character and ingenuity if you ask me, but maybe that’s why I will soon be out of a job.

Two Expensive Creations Blended Into One

Ever come across some fancy little gadget or outfit you wanted to buy, but didn’t have the cash on you or left your credit card at home? Apparently that isn’t going to be a problem for much longer. A senior vice president with the Ericsson Mobile Phone Company has stated that within a year all mobile phones will come equipped with a credit card. Thus, wherever you bring your cell phone you will be able to make a purchase. This brings up more than a few questions from us. How will it work? Can it actually be safe? And most importantly, what does this mean for all the shopaholics out there? It is hard enough having to choke down a $100 cell phone bill when you text too much. Imagine opening up your bill on the first of the month and seeing a sum of, oh, let’s say $3,000.

Honey, What Numbers Have you Been Calling?

Just try explaining to your spouse that you bought that new plasma screen with your cell phone and forgot all about it. Oh the accusations that are sure to coming flying in and the relationships will end in a bitter tiff. “Honey, are you sure that $3,000 bill isn’t from texting your ex girlfriend or calling that 1-900 number you love so much”? Guaranteed your clothes will be waiting for you on the lawn before you even have time to explain. Can you even blame her? What else are cell phones supposed to be for other than talking and chatting? Even worse, what will happen if your girlfriend borrows your phone for a day and accidentally walks by all the cash registers at the Coach, Guess and Fendi outlet stores?

But How Does it Work?

Enough with the nightmares, lets talk a little more about how the technology actually works and when you may have to start dealing with it. In the USA, where mobile technology is lagging behind quite a bit, banks and major companies are testing out a sort of detectable sticker that would be attached to your current phone of choice. With the sticker you can then make purchases by scanning your phone, rather than your credit card, at checkout lines. It will not stop there either. That same sticker will allow you to gain entrance to concerts, movies, and even unlock your apartment. The real question that has to be asked is whether or not this is really safe. Think back on how many times you have misplaced your cell phone or even let a friend borrow it. With this technology you would have to worry about a lot more than someone racking up the long distance minutes on your phone. However, you already know that mobile technology companies are coming up with ways to ensure you feel comfortable with all this new found power.

The Facts Behind the Figures

The technology being used, dubbed as NFC, is a lot different than the usual RFID technology that is used in current products, such as credit cards that don’t need to be swiped and microchips for pets. NFC requires a sort of two-way communication that would allow a payment to be processed only if the user gave the go ahead and the cell phone was within an inch of the RFID payment device. On top of this companies want to add a PIN number that would force you to make a payment the same way you use your debit card in stores. Credit card companies have also stated that they would track purchases and phone calls and disable the function if suspicious activity began to go on. And what if you lose your phone? Simply call and deactivate it the exact same way that you would if you misplaced your credit card.

A Credit Card in a Cell Phone? Or Just a Heavier Credit Card?

While all this security sounds fine and dandy, it really leaves one question. Doesn’t this new cell phone technology sound a lot like an actual credit card? Is there really much convenience added in using a cell phone to make purchases if we have to remember a PIN number, guard our phones with our lives, and call the credit card company to inquire about suspicious activity?  Instead of upping technology and adding credit cards to cell phones, doesn’t it just seem like they are turning our phones into heavier, more expensive, and less reliable credit cards? We’ve got enough worries on our minds, and more than enough credit cards already, thanks though. It sure is a nice thought but wouldn’t you rather stick to that tiny piece of plastic that you can freeze or cut up should anything go wrong?