2007 July | Trend Squad

NASA gives ‘Space survival’ a new meaning with $19 million toilet

19-million-toilet_48 Space survival gets a whole new meaning with NASA fitting in a fancy new $19 million toilet on the International Space Station. The high-tech toilet has been purchased from Russian aerospace firm RCS Energia and the interesting thing is that Russians are not allowed to use it. So, why $19 million for a toilet? Well, this toilet is capable of recycling urine as drinkable water. Since supplies are complex and expensive to deliver, the space station is bound to get along with very less fresh water.

The new toilet puts urine to a U.S.-made filtering system, which separates water molecules from waste as the filter won?t let anything larger than tiny water molecules to pass through it. The waste is stored in tanks and disposed to earth. So sad, the Russian half of the space station will have to compromise with the old toilet. Despite the financial crisis, it’s cool to see that NASA has paid dear ($19 million) to purify American astronauts’ sins.

via Gizmodo

Written by Trend Spotter on July 6, 2007 | No Comments

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Tablet PC Docking Station – A must-have for Every Tablet-Owner

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Love your tablet PC! But, constantly muddling over your decision to get a notebook or a desktop for a more convenient set-up at work! Then you can now stick to your old-tablet PC for better instead of looking out for options. Designer Adam Ohern has designed a Tablet PC Docking Station that takes any tablet in its open form and mounts it neatly onto the docking port. The dock itself transposes all of the tablets power and port functions so you don?t lose any USB functionality. The ergonomic setup comes with a pair of integrated speakers and a wireless keyboard/mouse so you won?t feel the need of a desktop PC ever again! No other details are available at the designer?s site, and in case you are looking forward to buy a replacement for your Ol-tablet PC then we would suggest you to go with Intel?s Convertible Tablet that features two innovative docking stations which enables you to morph it into a laptop/tablet with one and into an LCD TV complete with built-in speakers with the other.

via YankoDesign

Written by Trend Spotter on July 6, 2007 | No Comments

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Dyno Kwick Pick – A Great Alternative To A Crowded Keychain

Dyno Kwick Pick (Image courtesy brandsonSale) By Andrew Liszewski

If you’ve amassed quite a collection of keys over the years and are tired of carrying them all around ‘just in case’ you might want to consider this alternative. Just think, when was the last time you saw a spy or a cat burglar carrying a huge ring of keys? Never! Because they’ve already realized the convenience of just carrying a lock pick to open doors and other secured areas. But if your lock picking skills are non-existent the Kwick Pick from Dyno promises to make you a pro in no time.

Invented by a professional locksmith the Kwick Pick can apparently be used by even a novice to quickly open padlocks, filing cabinets and even some car doors and front door locks. The easy to use design has a spring-loaded sure lock, retractable pick and combination tension wrench/pocket clip which are apparently important things to have. Of course OhGizmo! would like to remind you the Kwick Pick is only for use as a novelty item and/or study aid. If you get caught somewhere you’re not supposed to be don’t go dropping our name to the feds.

You can get your own from LockPickShop for only $19.95.

[ Dyno Kwick Pick ] VIA [ ThisNext ]

Written by Trend Spotter on July 5, 2007 | No Comments

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Mythical Dracula’s castle up for sale, could fetch $135 million

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I have always fantasized of owning a castle but sadly, my account balance doesn?t lets me do so. But, if you are the one with heaps of money floating around, you could buy one. The legendary and mythic Bran Castle, or prevalently known as Dracula?s Castle in Transylvania has been put on sale by an heir of Romania?s former royal family who hopes to get a buyer who will respect the property and its history.

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Built on 200 ft. tall rock, the castle has 57 inviting rooms, courtyard, and underground passages. It is said that Prince Vlad the Impaler, the ferocious warlord who inspired Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” character, lived in this castle for one night in 1400s. Digging a bit deep into the past, the Bran castle is believed to be originally built as a stronghold by the Teutonic Knights in 1212. From 1920 to 1948, the castle became the residence of royal family.

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Presently, the historical castle is operating as a museum of medieval arts and about 450,000 people visit the castle every year. And yes, do remember that you will be greeted by bats flying around the ramparts at twilight. Anyway, pricing hasn?t been announced but the historical Dracula?s castle is expected to fetch at least $135 million. Wish I could but Alas?!

Written by Trend Spotter on July 5, 2007 | 9 Comments

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Sanyo Xacti CA65 – An Underwater Camcorder Without All The Bulk

Sanyo Xacti CA65 Underwater Camcorder (Images courtesy Sanyo)

Usually if you want to take underwater movies or even photos you have 2 options. 1) You can simply dunk your digital camera or camcorder under the water and hope that it grabs one or two frames before water gets in and shorts everything out. And 2) You can buy an expensive and incredibly bulky underwater housing for your camera that while protecting it will also limit its functionality. But there’s now a third option with the Sanyo Xacti CA65 waterproof camcorder that works underwater while still keeping a sleek profile.

It comes in the form of one of those ultracompact camcorders that rely on SD cards for storage but it’s still capable of capturing 6 megapixel digital images or recording VGA size video at 30 frames per second. The video is stored as either MPEG-4 AVC or H.264 clips making it easy to view on your computer and email to friends. Of course the waterproof nature of the camera does have its limitations. It’s only rated to a depth of 1.5 meters and they really only recommend using it underwater for about 60 minutes. In addition the waterproof seals that are used should be replaced every year to ensure they keep doing their job properly.

But at just under $470 from Amazon it could be a good choice for you adventurous types looking to capture some extreme memories.

[ Sanyo Xacti CA65 ] VIA [ Coolest Gadgets ]

Written by Trend Spotter on July 5, 2007 | No Comments

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Superbright Gforce Power LED Calendar Clock

Gforce Power LED Calendar Clock (Image courtesy Gadget Universe)

In theory this is the perfect clock for your bedroom since it provides the date, time and temperate on an easy to read display. But the fact that it uses the brightest white LEDs on the market from the Nichia Corporation means it will also serve to keep you awake all night with its blinding glow. So it’s probably more suited for use in the kitchen, office or from the looks of it hanging from the ceiling at your local hockey arena.

But even though it shines as bright as a thousand suns the Gforce Calendar Clock is actually quite energy efficient thanks to its use of LEDs. So get rid of that old coal burning clock you’ve got in the den and replace it with one of these currently available from Gadget Universe for $99.95.

[ Gforce Power LED Calendar Clock ] VIA [ Techie Diva’s Guide to Gadgets ]

Written by Trend Spotter on July 4, 2007 | 1 Comment

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