From the category archives:

Gadget Toys

RC Speed Boat Challenge Track

by Matthew on April 21, 2008

speedboat track RC Speed Boat Challenge TrackThe RC Speed Boat Challenge is a portable inflatable track built for remote controlled speed boats. The purpose of the track is to allow you and friends to set up a “challenge” track to race your boats against each other. [click to continue…]



Bug Net Gun

by Matthew on April 21, 2008

bug net gun Bug Net GunFly’s can be annoying and even more so, when they circle around your living room while buzzing past your head. With the summer months upon us it’s time to get prepared and buy a Bug Net Gun. [click to continue…]



Amazing Lego Chess Set

by Matthew on April 14, 2008

lego chess set Amazing Lego Chess SetNo matter how much I write about Lego, it is still one of the coolest toys ever! The latest Lego set I came across is this Lego Chess Set which measures 43cm squared. [click to continue…]



Transformers iPod Dock

by Matthew on March 27, 2008

Transformers_iPod_DockTransformers are showing up everywhere and the latest Transformer gadget is in the shape of Optimus Prime. The Optimus Prime iPod dock features inbuilt speakers and can actually transform to and from a robot. [click to continue…]



Guitar Hero on the Nintendo DS

by Matthew on March 20, 2008

guitar_heroA clip on controller for the Nintendo DS is being built which slides in to the BGA cartridge slot. What the controller does is ads 4 input buttons which allow you to jam away to guitar hero. [click to continue…]



The Million Dollar Puzzle

by Matthew on March 4, 2008

Million_Dollar_PuzzleFor just £9.99 you can get your hands on one of these million dollar puzzles. You need mental and digital skills to crack this puzzle open. A hammer would probably work too, but it defeats the purpose of the game. The one objective of this game is to get the million dollar bill out of the box. Unfortunately, for those who succeed, this is not a real million dollars sitting in there. That’s a shame as £9.99 would be a rather nice investment.

Specification

* Dimensions: Height: 9.5cm Width: 17.0cm Depth: 2.5cm
* Weight: 0.3Kg

Product Page



Miniature RC Zamboni

by Matthew on February 23, 2008

rc zamboni Miniature RC Zamboni
The Zamboni has had millions of people mesmerised for years as it slowly cleans the ice at a hockey match. For some reason it’s just addictive to watch it go around the ice rink and hit every square inch of ice making it smooth.

If you ever wanted to be a Zamboni driver, you now can do this courtesy of the RC Zamboni. It’s a small remote controlled device which you can drive around your desk or floor. Unfortunately it looks like it doesn’t actually smooth ice over which is a shame, but not a surprise. However, it still looks like one which will still amaze your best friends.

The RC Zamboni costs $24.99 over at jenskates.

Via: NerdApproved



Crazy Lego Machine Gun fires 6 rounds per second

by Matthew on February 14, 2008

Lego Machine Gun
Lego can be used to make all sorts of things like rubber band guns, automatic toilet flushing using the NXT brain and now, a machine gun capable of firing 12 100mm steel balls in under 2 seconds. Why you need to accomplish that is anyone’s guess, but it still looks to be cool. As well as seeing the finished product above in an image and below in video format, there are also full instructions included over here so you can go get your old Lego and make your own. Be careful though as 10mm steel balls could hurt.

Via: UberReview



Origami Spacecraft to Fly Home

by Matthew on January 20, 2008

Origami-Space-Craft
The guys over at the University of Tokyo are creating a paper airplane which will fly from the international space station, back home (hopefully). Astronauts will launch it soon. A few problems exist though. First is that when a shuttle hits the atmosphere it is travelling at around mach 20 which causes it to get seriously hot and use those heat deflecting tiles across the shuttles belly.

So, a paper airplane will be thrown out of the space station, which is travelling at speed it’s self, and yet they expect the plane to land safely. Apparently this will be achieved by treating the paper (in some mystical way) to make it be able to withstand the extra heat. Now I don’t expect to see the airplane fly through the atmosphere at mach 20, but it should still be going quite fast to get hot.

No launch date is set and they are hoping a hand written message on it might make it in to the hands of someone on the ground. It will be cool if that happens!

Via: Inventorspot



Radio Controlled Hovercraft

by Matthew on January 18, 2008

RC Hovercraft
The Radio Controlled Hovercraft is capable of running across land, water, ice or snow. It has a dual cushion to provide lift, but keep the air tucked away inside. It has 3 motors inside and 2 propellers to keep it hovering and moving.

It’s the perfect office type toy for those with boring jobs.

Via: MadaboutGadgets



Flytech Bladestar

by Matthew on January 10, 2008

flytech-bladestar
Flytech created the unique DragonFly last year which was a seriously different flying RC toy. Now they have created the Bladestar which could kind of be compared to a helicopter in some ways. It has a large rotating blade and 2 rear rotors that are opposite each other. Three sensors help keep it out of trouble by detecting the floor, ceiling and walls. It allows the Bladestar to fly it’s self, or alternatively you can use the remote control. If you want to be truly unique then you can guide the robot RC Bladstar by using your hands to block it’s sensors and guide it around.

No details on pricing yet, but you can look out for launch details over on the official website.

Via: GizmosforGeeks



Mini Candy Grabber for the Home

by Matthew on January 3, 2008

candy grabber
Grabbers at amusement parks are often annoying as you very rarely win anything and spend a fortune for nothing. This mini candy grabber allows you to put all your left over Christmas chocolates inside and grab them, but for free. You get supplied with some fake coins to use and I guess if you were feeling nasty you could always charge your office friends to have a go. You get 1 minute 15 seconds to grab the chocolate per coin and the tacky music speeds up towards the end. If successful you hear an applause. The hole in the top is too small to cheat and grab sweets although with it being desk top sized you can always just flip it over and shake it to get your sweets back.

Features

* A desktop Candy Grabber, fairground-style.
* A claw that you manoeuvre around to grab your sweet treats.
* Three joystick style controls, moving the grabber-forwards and backwards, up and down, and contracting and releasing the claw.
* Fairground music that lasts for one minute and fifteen seconds.
* A bag of fake coins.
* A slot to fill the machine with goodies.
* Suitable for ages 5 years+.
* Requires 3 x C Batteries (not included).
* Size: 32 x 21 x 16cm.

The mini candy grabber is available from IWOOT and costs £17.95.

Found Via: Gadgets Club



8Ft Lego R2D2

by Matthew on January 2, 2008

LEGO-r2d2
Standing a massive 8 feet tall is the all new R2D2 Lego model which was built by Dan Steinenger and a bunch of children who also chipped in. The R2D2 model has functioning red and blue LED lights as well as sound effects. It is currently standing at the Lego store in Disney (Orlando) and was built as part of the festival of masters event. Video after the jump.

[click to continue…]



PixelBlocks – Bring the Pixel to your Desk

by Matthew on December 24, 2007

pixelblocks
The old pixel has been a slave to the monitor and LCD for years. Thousands of them can be seen on your screen. The PixelBlock has broken away from the screen on to your desk. With PixelBlocks you can create 2D and 3D images on your desk by slotting little pixels together in 3 different ways. They come in an assortment of colours which have little peg and hole systems which allow them to be linked up.

peg and holehalf lockside lock

You can create anything you want in 8-bit style from Mario or Sonic, to self portraits. Speaking of self portraits… if you decide to make a 2D representation of your own face then on-line software makes this task a lot more simple for you. The software is called PixelBlocks Digital Stained Glass Creator. You simply upload an image of your self to the website which when they receive it they send you back PDF instructions which tell you which pixel to place where. Keep the software side a secret and you will be able to amaze your friends with your skills.

PixelBlocks Sample

Yoshi PixelBlocks

Treasure Chest PixelBlocks

PixelBlocks come in 3 sets which cost $19.95, $29.95 or $59.95 from Firebox.



Porsche Designed Bobsled

by Matthew on December 22, 2007

porsche-bobsled
This bobsled was designed by Porsche who make fast sports cars. When I was younger a sled was just a bit of wood with rope attached that you ended up having near death experiences. This one looks a little more sleek then the good old days but who knows if it gives you that sports car speed freak feel, or if it’s just a funky design. I will keep my eye out for videos of this one in action.

Via: RealityWired