By Evan Ackerman

As if I don’t already feel bad enough when my houseplants that I pay so much attention to up and die on me, designer Junyi Heo has created a USB planter with an LED display that makes faces to convey the current emotional state of your leafy pal. The planter has sensors that measure soil conditions, temperature, humidity, and water, and based on the type of plant in the planter, some software will calculate how the plant is most likely, uh, feeling. There are a bunch of different facial expressions, including male and female ones, along with some simpler photos that tell you if the plant is too hot, too cold, or thirsty. Seems like it could also use something to tell you if it’s getting the proper amount of light, which I think is how I manage to kill most of my foliage. Talking of, you know what else it could use? A little tombstone icon a la Oregon Trail: “Here lies Wilt. He died from lack of sun.” Rest in peace, my chlorophyllic friend… Rest in peace.

VIA [ Yanko Design ]

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By Evan Ackerman

I’m not sure what it is about fish that inspires people to create technologically bizarre fish tanks to try and elicit some sort of deeper meaning from their movements. This particular example is the Rythmfish system, designed by Sangmin Bae. Webcams surrounding the tank record the movements of the fish, and the images are combined with data from flow sensors inside the tank which measure the currents generated by the swimming fish. The results are translated (somehow) into an audiovisual, uh, something, which is performed through an LCD screen and speakers mounted on the tank. The designer says: “even if the fish can’t talk and express its feelings in a human way, it has an energy and communication skill in its own way. Vibration is the medium of interaction, and I selected it for its universality in the physical, emotional, and spiritual realms.” Hm. I wonder if the fish feel the same way, or maybe they’re just trying to figure out what the heck all this weird electronic stuff is doing in their tank.

[ Coroflot ]

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Filed under: Desktops, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Media PCs

Your options are fairly limited when scouring the market for a twin-CableCARD HTPC, but thanks to a new partnership between Cannon PC and Microsoft, yet another rival will be jousting for your business. Here soon, the outfit will be offering its Home and Pro A/V series Media Center PCs with dual CableCARDs pre-installed, and if you’re willing to wait a touch longer, a quad-CableCARD model will also be available. Oh, and if that chassis above looks strangely familiar, that’s because it is: Cannon has simply grabbed OrigenAE’s famed shell, painted it black and slapped its own logo up there (though we aren’t complaining or anything). The pictured EX line is just one of the many families with the new functionality, so head on over to the company’s website if you’re interested in shelling out.

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By Andrew Liszewski

While most people are happy to see the arrival of Spring after the cold Winter months, I’m a bit less welcoming since it means it’s time for me to stock up on allergy medications. Until now, the only other option was to simply never go outside in the Spring (actually a lot easier than it sounds) but a device called the Medinose could provide an substitute solution. It uses light therapy applied directly to the inside of the nose to ‘practically eliminate’ allergic symptoms like congestion, runny nose, watery eyes and headaches with just a couple of weeks use.

Using pic therapy, Medinose inhibits the release of histamine, relieving or even absolutely eliminating allergic reactions and complaints in a natural way. The body isn’t burdened by drugs and Medinose has no side effects. Medinose consists of a small power pack (about the size of cigarette packet) and two probes which are inserted into the nostrils.

Each treatment session with the Medinose takes just approx. 4.5 minutes 2-3 times a day. The Medinose can be used anywhere: at home, on the move or at work. With severe symptoms, treatment can be repeated several times without any side effects. As soon as the symptoms subside, the number of treatments can be reduced. The Medinose is, however, also suitable for prevention.

Pic therapy is a method developed in hospitals for treating allergic reactions. It uses visible red light that acts on the cellular metabolism, slowing down the immune reaction and reducing inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes. The light causes an overall reduction in allergic reactions and symptoms. The manufacturers of Medinose have taken this technology and developed a hand held, consumer friendly device.

While I actually wouldn’t be opposed to trying the device, I’m afraid there’s just no way I would use it anywhere except in the privacy of my own home. (On the move? Seriously?) It’s available from Health Innovations Ltd. for about $156, and if it works as claimed, in the long run it would probably be cheaper than buying medications.

[ Medisana Medinose ] VIA [ Shiny Shiny ]

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By Andrew Liszewski

Let’s face it. If you’re the type of person who reads a gadget blog every morning (or 70) you’re also the type of person who likes to have the latest cool or unique gadgets to show off to your friends. So the next time your pals stop by and you’re serving up some refreshments, why not blow their minds with these Ghost Goblets.

Ok, while they’re not exactly ‘mind-blowing’ the goblet within a glass effect is still pretty cool, particularly when it’s filled with what appears to be a weird hybrid of Tang and V8. I think that cocktail is officially called ‘Sadness in my Mouth.’

A set of 4 Ghost Goblets is available from CocktailVibe.com for $74.95.

[ Ghost Goblet ] VIA [ Nerd Approved ]

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By Andrew Liszewski

While iTunes has made the process of legally acquiring MP3s a lot easier than it used to be, there are still plenty of people who have no idea how to even boot up a computer, let alone load music onto an MP3 player. And that’s pretty much the target market for the REDI. It’s a basic 1GB MP3 player that comes preloaded with about 250 tracks, which is equal to about 6 hours of music. Since everyone has different tastes, the REDI comes in a variety of different ‘themes’ depending on what you like. If you intend to use it for running or jogging you can go for the ‘Ultimate Workout Mix’ but if you’d prefer to relax you can choose the ‘Golden Classics’ version instead.

At the moment there appear to be about 8 different versions of the REDI, but it also features a USB mini jack allowing you to upload your own MP3 (or WMA) files at a later time. Other features include an FM radio tuner, a simple LCD display and playback controls and of course a pair of earbud headphones that you’ll probably want to immediately replace. Best Buy currently has 4 versions of the REDI for sale, including the Ultimate Workout Mix, the Ultimate Rock N’ Roll Collection, the R&B Soul Collection and Golden Classics for $39.99 each.

[ REDI MP3 Player ] VIA [ The Gadgeteer ]

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By Andrew Liszewski

If you’re on a diet or trying to lose weight, traveling can be a difficult time. Large restaurant meals and fast-food can wreak havoc with your waist line, and it’s usually never good news when you step on the scale when you get home. But now you can stay on top of your diet while you’re away with this compact travel scale. The foot pads are pretty much as small as they can get while still being able to effectively measure your weight, and can be ‘collapsed’ towards the middle, making the scale small enough to put in a carry-on bag. It features a backlit LCD display that shows pounds or kilograms, and is powered by two lithium batteries.

You can get it from Magellan’s for $39.85.

[ Travel Scale ] VIA [ The Red Ferret Journal ]

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By Andrew Liszewski

I know in the past I may have complained about Lucasfilm’s over-licensing of the Star Wars franchise, but occasionally you come across an item that’s actually pretty cool. The AT-AT first seen in The Empire Strikes Back is pretty iconic, and while I’ve finally come to accept the fact that I’ll probably never own one in my lifetime, at least I can have them decorating a set of skateboard wheels. These Imperial Rollers from Kontrol feature a pattern of tiny AT-AT silhouettes, but I’m not really sure if they’re officially licensed or not. (I’m leaning towards not.) Your friends will have to get in really, really close to actually recognize the pattern of AT-ATs, but at just $27.99 from ActionVillage.com for a set of 4, it’s a cheap and subtle way to show your Star Wars pride.

[ Kontrol Imperial Rollers ] VIA [ TheForce.Net ]

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By Luke Anderson

I swear that some people spend more time typing on cell phones than they do on their computers. That would certainly explain why I-O Data has created this tiny Bluetooth 2.0 keyboard designed specifically for mobile phones.

I honestly can’t see how something this small would be very benificial to someone. It will cost a whopping $153 when it hits stores (in Japan) next month, so why not put that money towards a phone with a full QWERTY keyboard. With such small keys, you’d probably be better off.

VIA [ CrunchGear ]

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By Luke Anderson

Remember those cool Shuriken LED Lamps that we showed you last month? Well those lights might be a little hard to find a good place for, since you likely already have lighting in most places that you need. However, you can use a few extra thumb tacks just about anywhere, right?

I wouldn’t exactly call these thumb tacks per se, but you get the idea. Unfortunately, these awesome creations still appear to be nothing more than concepts items. I’m really bummed out because I already whipped out my card and was prepared to order these things by the dozen.

[ Chromoly ] VIA [ CoolestGadgets ]

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