Visit the Shaks

These days, everything is about portability.  I've got USB storage on my keychain and around my neck.  I've got a laptop computer.  There are people I know who carry around smart phones that can check email, connect to the Internet, make phone calls (usually), and even make and store documents if you really need to write that Great American Novel while sitting in traffic.  There are shirts that find wireless internet connections for you, so why not further complete the cycle of unification between form and function by slapping a keyboard into the lap of your jeans (and a mouse in your back pocket)? 

That's right, the device no one ever asked for, keyboard pants, are a reality!  I just hope that, for people like myself who are very, ahem... non-graceful... that this particular keyboard is very well insulated.  Given its location and proximity to my future children, the last thing I need to do is knock over a Diet Coke and electrocute myself in a very important place.

There are so many awful comments/puns that I want to say but can't, because this is a family website!  You guys have no idea how tough it is not to make some of the jokes I want to make.  I better move on before I get myself in trouble.   

Gadget Grid passes along one of the coolest pool accessories I've ever laid eyes on with this, their Underwater Light Show Fountain.  If you're wanting to make your pool cooler, and you have four spare D-cell batteries, then this is your answer.  The underwater portion of your pool turns random, beautiful colors, while the top of your pool is prettified with a neat little light-up fountain display. 

One of the things I liked most when I had a pool in my back yard was getting up in the morning, going out to sit on the deck, and just watch the rising sun reflect off the calm waters.  Of course, the sunset ws nice too, but since it was an above-ground pool, it wasn't very much fun after dark when you couldn't see anything and were likely bug bait.  That's why something like that fountain would've come in very handy.  It's both beautiful and functional, keeping the water circulating while adding beauty to an already relaxing setting. 

For Earth Week, I thought I'd focus on what is probably the most energy-efficient gadget ever invented.  It's called the Leave Me Alone box, and all it does is make sure you don't waste energy?  Well, when you turn it on, it makes sure you don't waste energy and automatically extends a hand to turn itself off.  That is the only thing it does, and that's what makes it so hilariously awesome.

Check out the Leave Me Alone box out in action!

That instrument, gang, is called a theremin. If you've ever watched a 1950's science fiction movie, you've heard it. If you've ever listened to the Beach Boys song Good Vibrations, you've definitely heard it. Invented by Lev Teremin in 1919. it's the first electronic instrument and, in case you can't see above, it's played completely without being touched.

Any time you need an eerie sound effect, the theremin is there. The theremin is a great, versatile instrument capable of making just about any sound. Even, say, a human voice, as you've seen above.

As we all know, summer is coming and what’s the one chore nobody wants to do?  Lawn care; nobody wants to cut the grass.  People only do it because they have to.  There’s got to be a better way.  Technology to the rescue!

Since the Roomba was released, I’ve been waiting patiently for the release of the automatic lawn mower.  You know, something that just automatically starts itself, rolls out, and chops the grass for you without you having to raise a finger or pull a cord.  Now that there’s the Probotics RL-850 and RL-1000 automatic mowers!  My prayers have been answered!

Someone finally did something cool with the iPhone, nearly a month before the third-party developer's kit was officially released.  If you're a fan of old console emulators and some of the best video games ever made, and you own an iPhone, why not combine the two with a SNES emulator for the iPhone?

Of course, sadly, emulators are on hazy legal ground, even if you own the console and the very games you're wanting to dust off and play. Still, that doesn't make it any less impressive that what we used to require a whole big video game console to play can now fit on something as small as an iDevice. It's not quite the same, and the touch controls are awful for anything requiring any sort of timing, but the fact that it can be done is pretty impressive.

Still, I'm thankful for the Wii's Virtual Console, so now I can revisit all those old rental favorites I never had a chance to buy legitimately.

I have a friend of mine who has an iPod, and she’s always on my case about finding speakers for her little MP3 player.  “Come on, Ron, you’re a technology blogger!  You know this stuff, what speakers should I get?”  Well, I’ve explained patiently that I don’t know beans about iPods except how they work, and that any accessories advice I would be able to give her is based solely on hearsay, guesstimation, and some other made-up words I use to sound like my lexicon is voluminous. 

So I can’t say that the Zumreed iPod Bathtub Speaker is better than a Bose.  As a matter of fact, I’m sure it’s completely blown away by Bose or any other mainstream iPod dock system.  However, one thing I’m sure of is if you’re in the tub and you drop your iPod and speaker contraption into the water beside you, you’ll end up with a heaping bowl of human soup from the inevitable shock.  It’s not worth listening to Rush in the bathroom if you have to run the risk of frying yourself or worse, your very expensive iPod.

(Insider tip:  Add whole milk for a delicious cream of human soup!  It’s the perfect pick-me-up for a cold winter’s afternoon.  Sprinkle cheddar cheese and cracked black pepper on top and serve with a side of oyster crackers for maximum deliciousness!)

H/T:  Popgadget

So, you've got your apartment cleaned up, the trash is taken out, dinner's waiting on the table, and you've hidden your collection of comic books and horror movies in an attempt to woo a member of the opposite sex into being your Valentine.  You've dotted every i and crossed every t, but something's missing.  Despite the candles on the table and the bottle of wine chilling in the fridge, you need that extra touch to get you over that last romantic hurdle?

Well, ThinkGeek has your answer, with the USB Aromatherapy Oil Burner.  Slide that into your computer, put a drop of scented oil in the proper location, and luxuriate as your all-night sessions of World of Warcraft become significantly better-smelling.  Nothing covers the smell of unwashed nerd body, moldy Taco Bell wrappers, and 300 empty Mountain Dew cans quite like roses. 

Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching, and if you don’t want to fall victim to a massacre, you’d better have something adorable and mushy for that certain someone in your life.  Might I suggest this 8-Bit Dynamic Life tee-shirt from Think Geek?  The meter perks up from 2.5 hearts to a robust 6 hearts when in the presence of another shirt or the transmitter pack available for purchase should you not have a loved one. 

The best part of the heart life bar tee-shirt is the ambient radiation from the hearts leaves your genitals sterile and useless!  Hooray!  Oh wait, I might be confusing tee-shirt radiation with television radiation.  Either way, that’s not a good thing. 

If only there was some way they could rig the hearts on the shirt to detect the scent of coffee, and to refill appropriately as I refill my mug and/or stomach with hot java, then I think we’d be on to something.  The Beatles once sang that all you need is love, but they also didn’t have to get up before dawn every morning to sit in front of a computer all day.

H/T:  Jade from JadeMyst 

So you're on a date with that lucky young man/woman/other, and you're ready to throw caution to the wind and lead with your lips.  But you just had a big plate of garlic and onions, and s/he had the fried catfish.  So if you want to find out if your breath is ready for a little person-to-person, why not try the Seju Kiss-Me Meter? 

It detects five levels of breath stank, and rates you accordingly.  There's also a built-in Breathalyzer.  It calibrates automatically, uses very little power, and clips right onto your cell phone, so you can discreetly check your funk levels while pretending you're on the phone.  Brilliant!  You'll never have to brush your teeth again!

Image/HT:  Engadget

I’m not a big user of Skype and Skype-type programs.  I’ve got it installed on my computer, but it rarely gets activated since I don’t really know anyone who uses it on any regular basis who doesn’t already have my cell number.  I can appreciate using it to talk during the day or whatever, but at night you may as well burn up some of those free minutes since you’re paying for them. 

I tend to use Ventrillo or TeamSpeak more often, while playing around in World of Warcraft, but maybe I’d use Skype more often if I had something like the $22 mouse Skype telephone.  Then again, the design looks counterintuitive (mouse cord on what I assume to be the earpiece of the telephone, but may not be), so it might just annoy me mercilessly.  Considering I have a headset with a microphone already, I don’t see how I’d need something like this, unless I wanted it for traveling or needed a new headset/mouse. 

H/T:  PopGadget

Image:  GeekAlerts

For as long as I can remember, my dad’s been a motorcycle nut.  In his younger days, before my grandfather passed away, my dad rode a Honda motorcycle day in and day out.  If it was cold, he’d put on long johns, his work clothes, and his leathers.  If it was hot, he’d ride in a tee shirt and jeans.  He loved that motorcycle, but after once his dad passed on, he got depressed and eventually, the motorcycle became a monument to a previous age.  It wasn’t a Harley-Davidson, but it was one of those fake Harleys Honda put out in an attempt to complete with a real motorcycle, and that was good enough.

A few years ago, my dad figured that, since he was in his 50s, that if he was ever going to own the Harley he always wanted, that he’d just have to bite the bullet and do it.  So he bought a gorgeous mid 90’s Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic with the extra tall windscreen, saddlebags, seat back, and the whole touring package.  It’s got factory accessories, chromed everything, and is really just a beautiful, beautiful machine that the previous owner sold for significantly under market value thanks to his wife’s nagging. 

My dad’s current bucket has a fire pattern on it, but if he wanted a new one, I’d probably try to talk him into getting a skull helmet from Santiago Choper.  Is it practical?  Who cares!  It protects the skull and face, and it’s the coolest helmet out on the roads today, bar none.  Pick that bad boy up and you’ll be the hit of Sturgis (or possibly stomped by a group of Hells Angels)! 

H/T:  Popgadget

I got the dreaded email tonight from a friend of mine.  You'll know the one once I start into the story.  You might have even sent it out yourself. 

You see, she was out Friday and her purse was stolen.  Inside her purse was her cell phone.  Long story short, she needs my contact information again.  Me and who knows how many other people.  Of course, this wouldn't have been necessary if she'd had the SIM Card Backup Tool from ThinkGeek (or if she hadn't gotten her stuff taken).  Then again, if she did have it, there wouldn't have been any need to blog about this to rub her face in it, and there's nothing I like more than a chance to gloat.

I can honestly say that I've never had my phone lost or stolen.  Then again, I've only had it for a year or two, so give me some time to catch up.

You know, I’m a big fan of those cheesy 1950’s science fiction movies.  Stuff like Forbidden Planet, The Day The Earth Stood Still, This Island Earth… Something about all that big, clunky technical equipment running off vacuum tubes, even to this day, is so much cooler than some unimpressive digital computer deal.  When I saw this Wired article about The Black Hole,  a military surplus store in Los Alamos, New Mexico, I immediately ran to their official website to poke around.

This is probably my favorite thing:  an authentic S-site badge from the Manhattan Project.  For those not abreast on their science fiction or science fact, that’s the project that spawned the first of the atomic bombs. 

Of course, when I saw it, I sent the link around to pretty much everyone with some appreciation of geeky stuff.  And the response was uniformly uninspiring.  Sigh.  Maybe it’s just me, but I think this badge is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen for sale, and I’ve been an eBay user for years.  It’s a piece of American history, and more importantly, the A-bomb ended a war, lead directly to the creation of Godzilla, and spawned hundreds of thousands of science fiction and alternate history movies!

If you don’t think owning a piece of Godzilla history is cool, then, well… you have my pity, because obviously you’re a Gamera fan.

Made By CrystalIcing.com

(Via)

Picture this, cats and kittens.  Grooving at the Gear Diary jazz club is a cool cat by the name of Nicky-baby.  He’s got a stylin’ red suit, a fly red hat, and some hep black boots.  He’s got a crazy-wicked beard, and some wild ideas, man. 

Who is this smooth dude laying down the tick-tocks like Gene Krupa?  It’s the Ninth Wonder of the North Pole, the Claus man, and he’s here to pull up a groove and get fabulous. 

Dig on this video, hipsters. 

This beat machine is powered by your computer’s USB ports (and generous quantities of reefer).  He knows four songs by heart, man, and he plays them with heart and soul.  If you need the beats, he can provide and play along with whatever you feel (or play on the radio).  He’s available for any gig you want, home or office, and he’ll play as long as you want for the low, low price of $16.99 from the groovie ghoulies at USB Fever.

I jokingly sent an email to my dad about this, telling him he totally needed a GlucoBoy- a standalone glucose monitor that hooks into a Game Boy Advance or DS to give you reward points for managing your diabetes. I suppose he'd want one if the test strips were really cheap.

It's my mom that's the gamer in the family, not my dad- Dad never has figured out the difference between a 1 up mushroom and a starman.

My family aside, I can see how this would really make a difference in the lives of children and even adults with diabetes. This is a prime example of using positive rewards to get a kid to do something they otherwise don't really want to do.

The GlucoBoy is currently only available in Australia, but hopefully soon this will make its way to America.

via

I was stumbling today looking for something interesting to blog about. I think I found it at Gadget Blog but I'm not sure if you want to hear about it. I'm going to share it with you anyway....Introducing The Disposable Compact Spermoscope.....

"What a remarkable conversation tool. Picture this, your at your office water cooler having a conversation with a few co-workers when all of a sudden one of them pulls out his trusty compact sperm microscope and says “Check out my sperm count”. He fills this tiny little bad boy up with his newly created sperm and hands it around for all to see. I think not, but quite the story that will be told for years to come.

The disposable compact microscope magnfy sperm, blood or other body fluids from 500 to 1000 times depending on how much light you use. The 5-pack costs costs $89"

I can just see my husband's face on Christmas morning when I tell him that I got him the latest gadget (he loves gadgets) and he opens up one of these.

Who are the people buying these and why on earth would anyone want one? Maybe I'm missing something here, I don't know.

If you can think of a good reason I would love to here it, so leave me a comment.

I really wish this was within my budget to give my dad. He loves neat stuff like this. What is it, anyway?

It's the Aquapict LED Jellyfish Aquarium, but I just call it cool. From the description:

Made with highly-realistic silicone, the Aquapict jellyfish swim and change color subtly with the five-color LED lighting system (red, yellow, green, blue, and purple). They move by a slow current created in the tank that does not have an obvious flow or bubbles that make it look fake. It looks unbelievably real and beautiful!

Seriously, seriously neat. It's $169 at  Japan Trend Shop.

A fellow blogger had an interesting post about how America's technology recycling was doing more harm to the earth than it was preventing, which sounds about right considering that old saying about where the road paved with good intentions leads.  Still, there is one kind of recycling that is useful, and that’s recycling old technology into art projects.

It’s no secret that I love me some steampunk technology modifications.  If you take something new and make it look old-timey, I’m a huge fan of it.  Keyboards, case mods, and, in this case, one of the coolest MP3 players I’ve ever seen:  Porkshanks’ Ambiance Enhancer.

Let’s let the creator tell the story:

Step right up folks! Witness the latest and greatest that the glory of modern technology can possibly offer to you at this particular moment of time and space!

The Ambiance Enhancer

This handy little device can take the most boring and dull locale and turn it into whatever sort of emotive resonance you prefer! You simply load it with "Wave Files" or their less complicated cousins the "Musical Programme Type Threes (or "MP3" for those who enjoy abbreviations) and then activate the device to change the ambiance around you! Astounding!

Okay, here's the real story behind this one:

I bought a pair of vintage Cannonball Empire headphones off Ebay and I disassembled and gutted them. I then transplanted the working parts of a Sony MDR-006 (that I randomly found on the ground at a bus stop 2 days ago!) into them, and viola! Cool looking 'old' headphones that work just fine with my MP3 player ^ _ ^

H/T:  Engadget

Create You Squidoo Lens On A Shak Subject And You Could Be Featured On Shakadoo! Once you have built your lens, submit it to the group HERE.

Kindle Wireless Reading Device from Amazon   by Susan52

To learn everything you ever wanted to know about the Kindle Wireless Reading Device, visit the entire lens by clicking: Kindle Wireless Reading Device from Amazon

I've gotta get one of these!

Lighter than a paperback, more powerful than WiFi, able to leap the library in a single, uh, click? - it's Kindle, the brand new wireless reading device by amazon.

Launched just in time for the busy Christmas shopping season, Kindle is simple to use, no computer required.  Read your favorite books, newspapers, blogs, or even your own personal documents with Kindle - anywhere!  What's more, there's no monthly fee!

What IS this world coming to?  Looks like it's coming to Kindle.  Read on. . .

What's So Special About the Amazon Kindle?

Here's my non-techical take on this nifty new device.

You can read all about it and buy a Kindle here. In the meantime, here are some highlights and observations that struck me from the video presentations and reading about the Amazon Kindle at amazon.com.

The screen is not backlit, so the display is easy to read, even outdoors in the sun. The display, in fact, gives the illusion of reading from paper. No glare like you get from a computer screen.

It's small, compact, and lightweight, about the size of a paperback book. The controls are set up for both right and left-handed users and appear to be very simple and convenient.

You can do everything, searches, purchases, and downloads, without a computer or even a hotspot - and without a service plan or monthly fee. Now, that's quite a selling point!

The battery charge lasts for days. "Read War and Peace on a single charge," or so they say.

I like the cute little dog-ear bookmark feature. I like the adjustable text size, perfect for those of us who need reading glasses.

It's interesting that everything you buy or download to your Kindle is backed up at amazon.com, so you can access it in the event that something happens to your reader.

You can subscribe to newspapers or magazines with the new editions updated and delivered automatically. There's a built-in dictionary, as well as a word search feature, and a subscription to Wikipedia is included.

It holds 200 books or more with a memory card available to hold even more.

The Amazon Kindle really does look handy and non-cumbersome, light and easy to use, perfect for anyone on the go - or even just for convenience at home. For me, trying to handle a book comfortably while reading in bed can be difficult. The Kindle looks like it would be a perfect solution. read the rest......

Create You Squidoo Lens On A Shak Subject And You Could Be Featured On Shakadoo! Once you have built your lens, submit it to the group HERE.

Mousepad Mania! by EditorDave

Is Your Mouse...... ????

Sluggish?

Jumpy?

Uncooperative?

It might be because you have a dirty mouse ball!

No... I'm not talking about rodents here (although I might go with a different Squidoo lens on that subject later<grin>).

What I'm talking about is that computer accessory that usually resides next to your computer.

What I'm saying is that perhaps it's time to clean your mouseball.  Yup, dirty mouseballs can cause all sorts of problems when trying to move the cursor accurately on the screen!

So, this Squidoo lens is an attempt to help you to improve your onscreen experience. This Squidoo lens will not only provide instruction for do-it-yourself mouseball cleaning, but it will also provide ways to give your mouse traction so that the mouseball can do its job! 

How do you provide traction to mouseballs?  With a proper mousepad, that's how!

You not only want a mousepad that will be functional from a traction perspective, but also something that can provide atmosphere for more comfortable mousing.

Oh, and for "proper use of a mouse", I've recently added a new video that provides instruction at the end of this Squidoo lens.  Just scroll down and watch the video there.  Be sure to leave a comment on how you use your mousies.

Also, if you like this Squidoo lens, be sure to share it or email it to your friends!

If Your Mouse Is Uncooperative, Jumpy, or Sluggish.... Here's How to Check It

Nothing worse than dirty mouseballs!

To learn everything you ever wanted to know about keeping your mouse responsive, visit the entire lens by clicking: Mousepad Mania!

Some Google Phone news, since I know it's been awhile since it's been discussed in the hallowed halls of Shaktronics Institute.  From the Official Google Blog to you:

Despite all of the very interesting speculation over the last few months, we're not announcing a Gphone. However, we think what we are announcing -- the Open Handset Alliance and Android -- is more significant and ambitious than a single phone. In fact, through the joint efforts of the members of the Open Handset Alliance, we hope Android will be the foundation for many new phones and will create an entirely new mobile experience for users, with new applications and new capabilities we can’t imagine today.

Android is the first truly open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices. It includes an operating system, user-interface and applications -- all of the software to run a mobile phone, but without the proprietary obstacles that have hindered mobile innovation. We have developed Android in cooperation with the Open Handset Alliance, which consists of more than 30 technology and mobile leaders including Motorola, Qualcomm, HTC and T-Mobile. Through deep partnerships with carriers, device manufacturers, developers, and others, we hope to enable an open ecosystem for the mobile world by creating a standard, open mobile software platform. We think the result will ultimately be a better and faster pace for innovation that will give mobile customers unforeseen applications and capabilities.

So, what does that gobbledygook mean for you, the user?  Basically, Google looks down from up on high at Apple, sniffs derisive at Apple's antequated proprietary software system and sweetheart deal with AT&T (and other companies in other countries), and shows them a better way to do things. 

Of course, Apple will never truly open up the iPhone (not until the contract is up, anyway) for the same reason they'll never offer OS X as an install for non-Apple computers:  because they don't have to.  So long as people are willing to overpay for mediocre desktop computers and shiny gadgets, Apple will never embrace life as a software company.  Like Sony, they want to do things their way, regardless of whether or not it's in the best interests of the public.   

Innovation (real innovation, the kind that spawned OS X/BSD) isn't in Apple's best interest at the moment.  Wait for another downturn in their fortunes and this iTune will change.

Congratulation to Deb from Debmomof3girls! She is the new owner of our giveaway product the  Rocketfish TM Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse.

At the beginning of this month I was contacted to review Best Buy's wireless keyboard and laser mouse. Rocketfish is Best Buy's internal technology brand.

The first thing that I was impressed by was the ease of installation. Simply, plug in the USB Bluetooth device and your on your way. After installing the included CD, the mouse and keyboard pair automatically.

The next thing I noticed was the easy touch to the keyboard keys. It has a very sleek, flat design that is easy and comfortable on the wrists. I actually noticed myself typing faster and more accurately with this keyboard than with my previous big name one. This keyboard is lightweight at 1.6lbs and the mouse weighs only 3.2 oz. The range is also a plus reaching as far as 60'.

Now for the fun stuff....The Bluetooth technology actually acts as a hub, providing instant access to music, the internet and more. You can even transfer photos to your Bluetooth enabled phones. The mouse, in addition to a scroll wheel, offers control buttons for media commands. All of this and more with NO WIRES!

I have to say I highly recommend this product. So much so that I will be purchasing one for myself immediately. I can't bare going back to my old one! If you are in need of a new keyboard, this has an affordable retail price of $99.00 at Best Buy.com and is well worth every penny.

Congratulations again Deb! Hope you enjoy this product as much as I do.