New Home Products from International Home and Housewares Show
BehindTheBuy.com's senior editor David Gregg highlights some of the new products from the 2010 International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago. Some of the new products include the T-Fal's Actifry, which fries food using less oil. Sumo Furniture Cubes are collapsible storage cubes. Hoover has a new vaccuum out called the Hoover FloorMate Hard Floor Cleaner, which vacuums, washes and dries hard floors. There is also a new ice cream maker from Hamilton Beach. Take a look:
CBS News also has an article about the new products here.
Real Simple Finds Best Kitchen Gadgets for Slicing and Dicing
Real Simple magazine recently tested over 200 kitchen products that slice and dice. Real Simple magazine's food director Allie Lewis Clapp shared the magazine's findings with CBS News. Some of the top choppers include the OXO Good Grips Hand-Held Mandolin, Chef'n VeggiChop and the De Buyer Mandoline. Progressive International Fruit and Vegetable Chopper, which can be found discounted on Amazon.com, also made the cut. Another gadget, The Vacu Vin Pineapple Slicer, provides an interesting way to create perfect pineapple rings. The corresponding CBS Newsarticle explains where to get these slicers and dicers. Take a look:
Daniel Sieberg, science and technology correspondent for CBS, shows Harry Smith new gadgets that make it easy to spy on other people. Sieberg begins the interview with three small cameras on him, including a small pin that shoots video that downloads footage to your computers via USB. His watch and tie can also record video. Sieberg also talked about gadgets you can put in your house including cameras that look like an alarm clock, smoke detector and a box of tissues. Sieberg also has some detectors that can detect hidden cameras. Take a look:
Time magazine recently unveiled its list of the best inventions of 2009. They have also selected five of this year's worst inventions. Some of them include the Japan's smile police, the Snuggie for dogs and a computer essay grader in England. The golf putting bra was lucky it didn't make the list because a bra that doubles as a gas mask did. Time senior writer Lev Grossman explains the items on the list. Take a look:
MacLife Article Contains Futuristic Ideas For Apple Gadgets
MacLife has an interesting article containing some fictional futuristic ideas for what Apple could be doing years from now. They asked several technology editors and reporters to envision future products from Apple. One of the devices (pictured above) is the iMake, a Bluetooth headsets, iPods, wristwatches, eyeglasses and door knobs are some of the items the iMake could make. You would be able to download the product designs from the iTunes Store and transmit them directly to the iMake, which would use 3D rapid prototyping technology to create the device. Boing Boing's Mark Frauenfelder came up with the iMake concept. Other ideas in the futuristic MacLife feature include augmented reality glases and an exerPod, an Apple handheld devoted wholly to physical fitness. Augmented reality glasses seem like a pretty reasonable concept for near future given the explosion in uses for augmented reality technology.
The Apple Tablet is clearly the most anticipated gadget of 2010. The exact design of the device is unknown but that isn't stopping excited analysts from speculating that the device will be wildly successful. CNN writes that these analysts are "channeling their inner-Frodo" by claiming it to be the one gadget to rule all gadgets.
"This will be the next big thing," said Laura DiDio, principal analyst at ITIC. "Apple is going to wow everybody with the tablet."
Any time Steve Jobs gets on stage, the expectations are incredibly high, but they are especially lofty for the tablet. Analysts and investors are saying that this device could revolutionize the handheld world in the same way the the iPhone changed the smartphone market.
"The tablet will change the game, because Apple will throw down the gauntlet at the competitors, and force them to follow along," DiDio said.
Skeptical analysts argue that if the Apple Tablet tries to do everything it will fall because people need different sized gadgets and different types of gadgets for different purposes. These analysts say a cell phone camera can't replace a digital camera and a tablet can't replace a device designed specifically for reading, such as the Kindle or Nook.
"What we've found in the past with these multi-function devices is that they're better for ad-hoc purposes, like quick and dirty tasks," said Zeus Kerravala, an analyst with Yankee Group. "They're not for any prolonged, high-performance use."
For instance, smartphones have cameras for quick snapshots, but when you go on vacation, you're probably going to want your digital camera to come along with you for high-quality photos.
Kerravala said the same logic applies to the tablet's other functions, including its e-reading capability: "If you want to sit and read a book, the ergonomics of a device that's specifically designed for reading are going to be better."
Apple also could run into a problem where it is competing with itself and putting its own gadgets in competition with each other. This is a problem most device manufacturers would love to have but for Apple it is a real issue. How many Apple devices can Apple fanboys afford in a recession? Some may love the idea of the Tablet but decide what they need most right now is the iPhone. An article here says the Apple Tablet could cement Steve Jobs' legacy. That article underscores the pressure on Steve Jobs and Apple to deliver an amazing Tablet. Apple will probably deliver a very innovative device but time will tell whether enough people will be ready to buy it for it to be a success.
Etre Touchy's Fingerless Gloves are Designed for Winter Gadget Use
Etre Touchy's gloves were designed with fingertips missing so you can use your multitouch gadgets on cold winter days. Etre Touchy's gloves cost $33 and can be ordered here. Wiredsays you could also "pick up some regular gloves from the dime-store and dust off the scissors." You could do that but the dime store gloves will start to fray and unravel.
Another glove concept for using multitouch devices on winter days are Freehands, which are gloves with black caps on the thumb and index fingers that detach to free your fingers for texting.
Best Buy has launched a Gadgets and eReaders section at its Best Buy stores and online at bestbuy.com/gadgets. The new section features brain games, tech toys, must have tech gadgets and ebook readers. The brain games include Leapfrog, Rubik's Cube and handheld puzzle games. The gadgets section includes a collection from Sharper Images including a folding travel speaker dock and rotating speaker dock for iPod/iPhone; portable media/entertainment projector; wireless shower mirror; portable charging valet; and time and weather butler. Best Buy's new gadget section also includes a collection of toys that connect users to virtual worlds.
Best Buy's eReader sections includes two devices: the Sony Reader Touch & Pocket Edition and the IREX DR800SG eReader, which debuts later this month.
The Kindle is not included because it is sold exclusively at Amazon.com.
Video: The Latest Kitchen Gadgets to Make Grilling Easier
Kathie Lee and Hoda get the scoop on all the latest kitchen gadgets, especially those that really help with grilling. So many kitchen gadgets are expensive and don't really help the home cook. But Chris Kimball, host of TV's America's Test Kitchen and editor of Cook's Illustrated knows his gadgets and won't steer you wrong. Take a look:
Summer is the perfect time to discuss gadgets that can keep you cool. CNET senior editor Natali del Conte shared some cooling gadgets with Maggie Rodriguez on the CBS Early Show. One of the gadgets is a remote controlled cooler called the RC Cooler that retails for $70. It will bring cold refreshing drinks to you at your command providing you don't lose the remote. Natali del Conte also discusses a portable air conditioner, a wine chiller with an LED display and the Koldfront Portable Ice Maker ($119) that makes ice in ten minutes. Take a look:
RichardSolo has launched an environmentally friendly line of gadgets. One of the new gadgets is the Voyager Radio, an emergency radio that can be powered by a hand crank, built-in solar cells or regular alkaline batteries. It can also be powered by USB on your computer. The radio has AM/FM, shortwave bands, and a NOAA weather band. The radio retails for $49.95.
Another new eco-friendly product from is the BioGreen Foam Mattress Toppers, which are made in the USA by a process that reduces out-gassing and volatile organic compounds. They also have a chair made entirely out of hemp called the Nada-Chair. The Kill-A-Watt PS is a power strip provides a digital readout of your electricity consumption. RichardSolo has also launched Oxygenics Water-Saving Showerheads, which save water compared to conventional showerheads and also oxygenate the water. RichardSolo's eco-friendly products can be found here.
New Scientistreports that bagless vacuum inventor James Dyson is plotting a way to re-invent the kitchen. The inventor has filed a US patent application for a space-saving kitchen idea that would replace today's jug and dome-shaped gadgets with cube-shaped ones.
The Dyson team say the trouble with today's kettles, toasters, juicers, food mixers and coffee grinders is that each type of gadget tends to have a different space-hogging design. Kettles tend to be jug or dome-shaped, with a protruding handle and flex on one side, and a spout on the other. Toasters are generally box shaped, with the timing and toast ejection mechanisms protruding from one end. That means users must leave a large "footprint" around each appliance so that their handles and controls can be reached easily.
"Due to their various different shapes and sizes, these appliances cannot be closely packed together on the counter, resulting in an amount of wasted counter space between the appliances which can't be used for other purposes, such as food preparation," the Dyson team write.
New Scientist describes the idea in the patent to "make all free-standing gadgets like kettles, toasters, juicers and food mixers in the shape of tall cuboids." The cuboid kitchen gadgets would then be easy to store since they were all the same shape. It would make things easier if they were the same size but it's hard to picture a cuboid kettle.
Nonin Medical Launches G02 Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
Nonin Medical has launched the GO2 fingertip pulse oximeter. The GO2 is a device that lets people monitor their oxygen saturation. The GO2 oximeter enables users to adjust their oxygen to meet their varying daily activity levels, get feedback on the effectiveness of their breathing techniques, and improve communication with their clinician. The medical gadget retails for $99. You can find more information about the GO2 here on the official website.
Dvice reports on the existence of this USB hub that is also a drink warmer and a digital clock.
The heating plate will keep your mug between 122 and 140°F, perfect for tea or coffee. An on/off switch lets you continue using the USB hub without the heating element - a red LED indicates if the warming plate is on. The clock runs off of a battery, so it keeps current time and date information, even when your computer is shut down. Now you'll always know when it's time for your coffee break.
It is sold here at China Vision, where you can't buy an individual unit. You can only buy five of them for $43.65. That's probably four more USB hub with clock and cup warmer than most people want. There's also another style of USB warming plate sold here on Brando. (via Krunker) on Brando. There's yet another USB hub cup warmer on Amazon.com.
Note: there are lots of USB cup warmers on the market but these are USB hubs that also let you connect other USB-powered gadgets.
The Demy is a digital recipe reader for use in the kitchen. The touchscreen device comes pre-loaded with 250 recipes and can store as many as 5,000 recipes with photos. The device gets recipes from a website called keyingredient.com. The Demy also has built in timers and conversion calculators. Demy's manufacturers say any splatters or spills on Demy can be wiped off with a soft damp clock.
It does sound like a useful device for the kitchen. A larger iPod Touch could provide a similar function should Apple ever release one. There's a product listing up for the Demy on Amazon.com but a release date has not yet been set. The retail price is listed as $299.99.
The Apple Tablet is clearly the most anticipated gadget of 2010. The exact design of the device is unknown but that isn't stopping excited analysts from speculating that the device will be wildly successful. CNN 
