Green tech: At the beauty salon, be the girl with green hair

You can be the eco-conscious girl with green hair if you patronize beauty salons that use green hair-care products.

Hair dyes, shampoos, and other such products have traditionally contained synthetic chemicals that can harm the user and the environment. But an increasing number of hair care salons are saying "no" to that tradition. They're stocking environment-friendly products and using them on their customers.

It's a trend that first took hold--of course--in California. But the trend is spreading to other parts of the US. An article in Scientific American advises you to just Google "green hair salons" plus your state abbreviation and you may be surprised to find one--or more--near you.

And if you can't find a local green hair salon, you can nag your favorite salon into turning green. Urge your hairdressers to use the increasing number of hair-care options that are safer for their clients and the world. Some brand names to look for: EcoColors, Aveda, Modern Organic Products or Innersense

Blockbuster OnDemand lands on TiVo

Broadband-connected TiVo DVR subscribers have access to Blockbuster’s long-awaited OnDemand rental service, TiVo announced on Tuesday.

The service is available to owners of TiVo Series2 and TiVo Series3 digital-video recorders (including the TiVo HD and TiVo HD XL).

According to the company, users will be able to stream films ranging from new releases to classics. Users will be charged $2.99 for classic hits and $3.99 for new releases. Blockbuster will be adding more films over the coming weeks, including “select HD titles.”

As part of the agreement, Blockbuster will also begin selling TiVo DVRs in “thousands” of participating Blockbuster stores around the United States.

Blockbuster OnDemand’s arrival on the TiVo (and TiVo’s arrival in Blockbuster stores, for that matter) has been a long time coming. The partnership was first announced in March.

Whether Blockbuster will enjoy success on the TiVo is up for debate. The company’s main competitor, Netflix, is already streaming films and television shows to TiVos for no additional fee beyond the company’s unlimited-plan charges. Amazon Video On Demand is also available to TiVo users, and like Blockbuster, it, too, allows them to purchase individual videos, rather than pay a monthly subscription fee.

TiVo owners can also access content from YouTube, as well as films through Jaman and CinemaNow’s Disney.

To access Blockbuster OnDemand, users will first need to create a Blockbuster account. Once complete, they can access Blockbuster OnDemand content from the TiVo’s video-on-demand menu.

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Blockbuster OnDemand lands on TiVo

Beaba BabyCook: Easy on Baby's Stomach and Parent's Wallets

I don't have to tell you that having a baby can be expensive. The food, the clothes, the toy, not to mention the seemingly unending need for diapers can drain even the most solid of finances. This new gadget from Beaba might be the must have gift this holiday for parents with toddler-aged children.

Leave it to the French to make an awesome food-based gizmo. The Beaba Babycook is a handy device that makes baby food right before your eyes. The Babycook is a food-processor, stove, steamer, and defroster all in one. The device is simple enough to use. Take those peas, peaches, or beets into the cooking basket. The process starts by steaming your raw materials for 15 minutes, sealing all the nutrients and flavors in place. After the freshly steamed food is blended and pureed into yummy and healthy food ready for baby's sensitive stomach.

The Babycook makes up to two and a half cups of food per use. It also comes with a spatula, bowl, and containers for freezing servings so food can be prepared in advance. Thanks to the gadget's defrost function, there will never be a long wait to defrost precooked food and there's no worry of over-nulking it in the microwave. There's also a recipe booklet just to give parents some inspiration when preparing their baby's meal.

BPA-tested, Parents with kids from six months to two years will be using this thing constantly.Luckily, the : 11 x 5½ x 8-inch device doesn't take up too much counter space. And to make things even more convenient, everything included with the Babycook is dishwasher-friendly.

Video of the Beaba Babycook in action

Via Coolest Gadgets

IREX's Digital Reader is Ready for its Closeup

The battle of the e-readers is really heating up with the addition of yet another contender. The new reader, the Irex DR800SG hails from IREX Technologies. According to the press release, 8.1-inch touchscreen e-reader uses electronic paper display technology that will give users the feeling that they're reading a traditional paper better than tablets and netbooks, It also boast faster page turning speeds and customizable read settings.

Equipped with 3G multi-mode functionality, the Irex is unloading the big guns, able to access 3G networks worldwide. In addition, the device has some big name companies backing it up including world's largest book seller, Barnes & Nobles which means that greedy bookworms will have over 750,000 titles to devour and that includes new releases and bestsellers. Verizon Wireless will be on hand to provide the 3G connectivity while Qualcomm, wireless telecommunications company will be providing its mobile broadband technology via the Gobi multi-mode 3G embedded module.

Mood Chair determines your emotional state from your hind quarters

Ladies and gentlemen, this is "interactive" furniture of the most useless kind - a concept called the Mood Chair by UK based designers Aether & Hemera. And after some more wasted minutes spent in trying to understand its utility, I fail to find one.

The Mood Chair apparently has sensors that take cue from the user and the environment to determine his/her emotional disposition. That's not all. After the internal circuitry - consisting of "LEDs, embedded micro-chips, appropriate sensors and custom software" - can take stock of your mood while you are on it, the chair changes color to broadcast it to anybody who's around, and interested. Guess how infallible that can be.

For the others who jumped up in anticipation, we have no clue when this thing might get into the stores. If ever.

Catch a video after the break.

Via technabob.

Kiss the QOOQ: A New PC for the Kitchen

If you've ever had dreams of embracing your inner Julia Child a la "Julie & Julia", here's your chance. Thanks to a nifty new gadget from France, you can throw away all those tattered recipes and cookbooks.

The QOOQ (pronounced "cook"), is a kitchen computer that might be able to make cooking a pleasurable experience for those of us that are a little gun shy around the oven. QOOQ comes with video recipes as well as 500 preloaded dishes. And if that's not enough, users can sign up for a monthly subscription and have new recipes and sent to device. The digital recipe box can get internet access using WiFi or Ethernet. There's no web browser to speak of, but you can check the weather and update recipes as needed.

In addition to the recipes and videos, the QOOQ also serves as a meal planner and can help create a shopping list, so you don't off track with the impulse buying when you hit the grocery store. And when you need a little entertainment, QOOQ doubles as a digital picture frame and receives internet radio stations.

The 10.2-inch touchscreen tablet PC has a glass screen that makes for easy clean up as a precaution against those unexpected splashes and spills. Unfortunately, QOOQ is currently a French exclusive, but if there are plans to bring the device stateside, I'm sure it will sell like hotcakes (pun totally intended) to the burgeoning foodie movement.

Via Coolest Gadgets

Video game controller ornaments make for a true geek's Christmas

How to veer Santa away from giving you those girly gifts (like hair curlers, eek!) and bring on the really useful ones (like gadgets, yum!) instead? Well, let why not let the tree scream for your cause this Christmas? So, get plentiful of these acrylic gaming ornaments designed by Dave Rollins, and we bet your decoration will be the talk of the geek town. They are sold together as a set of seven and contain laser cut-out versions of Wii, N64, Xbox 360, Dreamcast, NES, PS2 and Sega Genesis controllers. That said, calling this "geek-chic" would only be an understatement.

The ornaments are available in six different colors and are currently selling on Etsy and Digits’ Ponoko for $25.

Via Slippery Brick.

Touch Stick can help hygiene freaks step an inch away from germ threats

You've been giving that nasty little germ buggers a miss quite often, but always have the nagging feeling that they are all ready to creep over you each time you use the keypad at the ATM, or the elevator buttons. Well one thing's for sure - you are a certified hygiene paranoid. And there are companies that live by people like you - for sure the one that makes these little plastic keys called the Touch Sticks.

These keys have a special design - wide, flat round ends for pushing mechanical buttons such as those on ATM terminals, or gas stations. So that you can stay a safe distance from the little microbes. Just add a couple of them on your key chain before you leave home and the halo of protection walks out with you. But then again, what about the germs that get on to the Touch Stick itself while you are using it? Hah, never mind. Gotta be insane to spend $2.99 on this one.

Via The Red Ferret.

JVC’S new pocket camera, the PICSIO GC-FM1

About a week ago JVC launched its first pocket flash memory camera, the PICSIO GC-FM1. The PICSIO is cellphone-sized and comes in three funky colors, Blue Steel, Purple Passion and Black Ice. It’s small and portable and able to capture high quality stills and movies. The funky camera can shoot true eight-megapixel stills and 1080p Full HD video and thanks to its image stabilization that minimizes camera shake, your videos will maintain a good quality even when the 4X digital zoom is used. The recorded videos, stored on SD/SDHC memory cards , are saved as .MOV files and can therefore easily be shared without the need of any conversion.

PICSIO controls are easy and intuitive and the camera’s main functions can be selected using the dedicated buttons therefore avoiding to scroll through long menus. The camera charges via USB connection.

The PICSIO is available for $199.95, included in the price are a USB cable, an AV cable, hand strap and PC software loaded into the camera’s internal memory.

Wardrobe Made Simple by Shmotter.com

Okay, it's almost time to start switching from our fall gear into our winter wear. Are you wondering whether those slouchy boots clash with that bag or if you can get away with wearing leggings under that dress? Before you shell out a small fortune making potential fashion faux pas, mayhaps you should pay a visit to Shmotter.com.

A new web startup, Shmotter is your own personal lookbook. Populated with clothes and accessories from a large selection of retailers, the site allows fashion mavens to put a look together without the hassle of running from store to store like a mad woman. Just select the piece of clothing or fashion accoutrement you want to sort through using the available tab to select from tops, dresses, bags, etc.

When you've find the piece you're looking for simply drag it over to the left side of the screen to add to part of your look and rinse, wash, and repeat until you've created your look. And since sometimes you really need a second opinion, you can save your outfit to your profile and have the Shmotter community vote on your wardrobe to determine whether it's a fashion hit or miss. (The outfit that you're viewing in the pic is one I put together. I call it Dark and Stormy. Thoughts?)

Rabbit Ear Chairs

I am not sure whether I am being influenced by my daughter’s obsession with bunnies here, but I really like the Rabbit Ear chair designed by the Sanaa Architects group and I sure wish they would make them kid-sized as well.

The Rabbit Ear Chair comes in six different colors and can be purchased from this site. The price varies from 30,000 yen (roughly $335,-) to 33,000 yen depending on the color.

This year the chairs were also displayed at the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in London.

Via Hypebeast

Go Gaga for Karaoke on Your iPhone

Fans of Lady Gaga and karaoke can rejoice. There's now an iPhone/iPod Touch app that satisfies both of those cravings. The Lady Gaga iOKi features four songs from the oddly compelling pop star including new single "Bad Romance" from her upcoming album "Fame Monster". The app turns yours your Apple device into a mini-karaoke machine complete with themes, images, and video of Lady Gaga.

Lady Gaga’s manager Troy Carter said, "The Lady Gaga Karaoke app is a great way for her fans to experience the music in a non-traditional way. We constantly look for new ways that allow her community of fans to interact with each other with the music as the centerpiece, and gridMob nailed it."

Thanks to Thanko: USB-Powered Eyelash Curler

Because you absolutely, positively have to do your makeup at your desk, Thanko, creators of such "gems" as the USB-powered dinosaur slipper foot warmer and the USB Soldering Iron has just announced the USB-powered Eyelash Curler. Yep, there is now a USB-powered eyelash curler on the market.

The Touch Beauty Eyelash Curler is pretty simple to use. You just plug it into an available USB port and use like you would a regular curler. I'm hoping that there's more to it, maybe it has a little heating action to help get the curling action going. If not, I really don't see the point of it being USB-powered.

Via Akihabara News

Sensium wireless digital patch makes patient monitoring less painful

Though wireless technology has made our daily lives so much simpler, isn't it about time that it spread out of the confines of our homes and into life-critical environments such as hospitals? Apparently, it has. As a result of which, we might get to experience (hopefully not) devices such as the Sensium Digital Plaster - a wireless monitoring patch that can be stuck to a patient's body like a Band-Aid strip, to monitor his/her vital signs.

The disposable wireless patch is powered by "thin" batteries and can give information on a person's heart rate, temperature and perspiration for a period of several days. It can also interface with smartphones and PDAs, and wirelessly transmit clinical data to your doctor. The device is currently under clinical trial and is expected to complete the first round of trials by end of this year. For those who have experienced the discomfort of being hooked to a bulky, imposing machine that takes away the few remaining moments of peace with its unwanted blips and peaks on the screen, you know what a blessing this alternative can be.

Via The Red Ferret.

The Beatles catalog to be available on limited edition apple-shaped USB sticks

The Gods need no longer be dependent on your whimsical bio-logical memory alone for their existence. For folks at Apple Corps Ltd. and EMI Music have collaborated on this wonderful, wonderful limited edition run of 30,000 USB apples that contain the whole of the Beatles re-mastered catalog for the benefit of fans in the UK and USA.

The 16GB USB drive will be sold on December 7th (UK) and December 8th (USA) with the audio and visual contents provided in FLAC 44.1 Khz, 24 bit and 320 Kbps MP3 formats, fully compatible with PC and Mac. The USB stick will integrate the re-mastered audio for The Beatles’ 14 stereo titles, as well as 13 mini-documentary films about the studio albums, replicated original UK album art, rare photos and expanded liner notes. It is on pre-order right now at $279.99 on the official Beatles store. And well, if you are waiting for us to tell you that this is a great steal, buzz off coz you ain't no real fan.

Via Engadget.

Vertu fits bling into a clamshell, releases Constellation Ayxta luxury phones

Would you believe it if we were to tell you that Vertu has released its first clamshell phone? No wait, let us rephrase that. Would you believe it if we were to tell you that Vertu has released its first clamshell phone for - as the promos say - the "global citizen"? You would, only, now you would wonder if you can dare to belong to this mysterious genre called "global citizen" given Vertu's historical exclusivity.

And we'd hate to tell you that most of us don't. Vertu's latest phone series - Constellation F Ayxta - is still as untouchable to common folks as ever. It is Vertu's first clamshell, and is made from expensive materials that include stainless steel, ceramic, leather, sapphire crystal (for the display) and aerospace grade aluminum parts. For those who didn't flinch, the Ayxta sports a 3MP camera with dual LED flash, GPS, 3G HSDPA, microSD card support, and an application called "City Brief" that apparently provides “restaurant recommendations, the latest exhibitions, shopping guides and important cultural etiquette tips.” Grooming that maybe crucial to look worthy of the luxury that you are flaunting, eh?

The Constellation Ayxta series is priced between €4,900 ($7,178) and €6,500 ($9,522). So there goes affordability outta the door.

Via TechFresh.

Green tech: How to cut the cost of solar equipment

Solar power. Solar heating. Solar lighting. Sure, you'd like to fuel your life for free with help from the everlasting sun. Trouble is, it's not really free.

The equipment that can turn sunshine into a warm, well-lit life costs the earth. You can easily spend $20,000 or more for rooftop solar panels, for example.

But there's hope. Alternative financing of solar has begun in the US, in a small way. For example, a few thousand homeowners is California, Arizona, and Oregon are reducing their upfront costs by leasing solar equipment--and paying an estimated 15% less for electricity, equipment included. And the federal government has an assortment of programs that underwrite homeowners' solar projects.

Read all about these and other possibilities for reducing the cost of solar equipment at E, the environmental magazine.

Stila Proves Makeup and Music are a Perfect Combination

Putting on makeup can be as simple or complicated as you make it. Whether your a gloss and go kind of woman or a makeup maven, one thing remains the same. There is nothing more annoying than having to search for your favorite cosmetics.

Stila has the solution to all your vanishing makeup problems. With their new makeup case, you can store all your highly guarded beauty secrets in one attractive case. There are plenty of compartments so everything from your falsies to your foundation brush will fit comfortably. And to make the morning makeup routine even more pleasurable, you can plug in your MP3 player and enjoy your favorite "I feel pretty" tunes through the built-in speakers while reciting your daily affirmations.

iNo Mobile simplifies the cellphone for kids and elderly

I do not know how I would react if my grandchild were to gift me a "for-elderly-only" gadget that would have nothing but the bare essentials, with the statement "The xxx device is the current rage Grandma, but I thought you needed one that's as simple to get around as ABC". One thing I know for certain - I would be saddened by my age being automatically assigned with a diminished learning ability. But for now, it gives me some hope to think that I am still several years away from that possibility and I resolve now to remain somewhat open to the idea, if ever. Sigh.

The iNo CP09 is another such GSM cellphone for kids and elderly that tears down the features to a minimum - a basic calculator-like screen with a large font display, large buttons, FM radio, torch light, headphone jack, and text messaging. And since both the categories of people are often imagined courting emergencies, there is an SOS button which when pressed sends a text alarm to a configured number and calls that number. Along with letting out a loud siren. Imagine the havoc a child could create with that. Whew.

The iNo Mobile is available exclusively in Singapore at $78.

Via Newlaunches.

Philips Introduces Crystalize Your Skin's New Best Friend

Skin care is a billion dollar industry worldwide. Obsessed with keeping our skin as young and healthy as possible we spend an inordinate amount of money on the latest cream that promises to stop the aging process, help our combination skin, or simply fend off adult cases of acne. But with all the different skin types out there, how do you know if you're purchasing the product that is the best fit for your unique skin type?

Electronics maker Philips may have the answer to the billion dollar question. According to the New York Times, has a new way of analyzing skin. The Crystalize system uses a special video camera to take an extreme close up of clients skin. The camera is set up to scan certain parts of the face to compile an accurate assessment of the viewer's skin. Once that happens, a list of products that would best suit your skin is displayed starting with the cheapest product going to the most pricey purchase.

When the system displays your ideal products, you shouldn't have to worry about Philips trying to pawn off strategically placed products. Philips does create products in the health care industry, but does not make any skin care products. They also aren't receiving any incentive to recommend one company's product over another's, so the system should be corruption free for now. Let's hope it stays that way. It's far too easy to go down that slippery slope with an ad or a featured product.

T-Mobile introduces Nokia 3711 clamshell phone for the budget conscious

So who isn't budget conscious in these times? Well, excluding those lucky-buckies who raised their hands, the Nokia 3711 from T-Mobile suits the more uneasy wallets to the T. By just retaining the basic functionalities - QVGA screen, 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, FM radio and microSD memory slot in a neat clamshell. Though T-Mobile’s AWS 3G comes included, features such as GPS, picture-messaging and email may cost you more than what's on the deal offered. Which happens to be a really affordable $69.99 on a basic Even More plan. Or for the more optimistic is the alternative Even More Plus plan at $159.99.

Via Newlaunches.

Corsair 128GB Flash Voyager thumb drive is big but not clumsy

Corsair is out with its new offering - the 128GB Flash Voyager GT thumb-drive, supposed to be the fastest in the world. Only, our computers will not be able to handle one yet, as the company claims that the 32MB/s read and 25.6MB/s write speeds are held in check by the rather unsympathetic "USB2.0 bus and the operating system overheads".

Nevertheless, this future-ready thumb drive is rubber-clad for durability, water-resistant and clocks speeds that are nearly twice that of rival high-performance drives. Even so, it comes with a 10-year warranty. By the end of which you will probably find out for yourself if the proposed limitations on its performance did really exist. Though the Corsair drive is available now, you will have some scouring to do, as few retailers are offering it, and with a hefty price tag of $390 whereabouts.

Via Slashgear.

Epson's PictureMate Charm personal photo printer looks as pretty as a picture

Photo labs get a few zillion degrees closer to extinction since the time Epson announced this latest news-grabber - the PictureMate Charm personal photo printer this morning. So the next time you find yourself at a party or just an unexpected get-together at home, all you need to distribute high-resolution (5760 x 1440 dpi), 4 x 6-inch full color prints in under 37 seconds is to press a few buttons on the PictureMate Charm.

The highest resolution printer in its category, the PictureMate Charm comes with ink and 100 sheets of either glossy or matte-finish 4x6-inch photo paper and boasts built-in auto photo correction and red-eye removal. You can also get an add-on Bluetooth adapter using which you can get prints straight out of Bluetooth cellphones and other Bluetooth compatible devices such as PDAs. The printer also supports direct printing from memory cards. Well we know what you must be thinking - yes, of course it allows for different color tones such as black and white, sepia, or color and the option to switch between popular photo layouts.

And most important - all these nifty features don't take the PictureMate Charm out of the common man's reach. It is very affordably priced at $150, and will be available from Epson online.

Via Crave.

LG's New Chocolate Gets Luxury Wrapper

By now you've seen screenshots of consumer electronics company, LG's latest interaction of the Chocolate, the BL40 and let's face it, delicious and delectable are totally appropriate descriptions. Not one to rest on their laurels, LG has teamed up with fashion label,Twenty8Twevle to create limited edition designer cases for "the supermodel of cell phones."

Creative Director Savannah Miller and her sister, actress Sienna Miller have outdone themselves. The Twenty8Twevle cases are done in bespoke leather and feature a stainless steel tag bearing the labels' name. Instead of going for an overblown design, the sisters produced something that is sleek, sexy, and exudes effortless cool, which is right in tune with the much-hyped Chocolate.

Ed Hardy's Tatted Up Tech

If you like tattoos, but don't want to go through the pain of getting a permanent piece of art added your decidedly risk-adverse frame, you can go the Ed Hardy route. Unless you've been living under a rock for the past several years, you know that the distinctive designs of Ed Hardy have become one of the mainstays of urban fashion gracing shirts, hoodies, and sneakers.

Now the skulls, roses, and daggers are going techie with the introduction of the Ed Hardy USB Drive. The Limited Edition tech is retractable, Mac and PC-compatible, comes decked out in a colorful Tiger motif with the charming message "Love Kills".

The keys have a capacity of 1, 4, and 8GB retailing for $32, $52, and $78 respectively on Amazon.com. At those prices, you're obviously paying for the privilege of owning something considered to be couture. Makes you long for the days when tats were cool because they drove your parents nuts.

Via Gizmodo

Renault Concept Spa and Car in One

Ah the spa, where all troubles, worries, stressors are meticulously pampered away with facials, scrubs, and messages. Usually a trip to the spa costs a pretty penny, but if French automaker Renault has its way, soon you won't have to go farther than your car to get that spoiled rotten feeling.

Renault has joined forces with cosmetics maker Biotherm to create the Zoe Z.E. electric car concept. The car is sporting a climate control system that is similar to a spa. In lieu of using air conditioning which can be hard on the skin, the Zoe keeps the air inside the car cool and hydrated, preventing the skin from drying out.

The car also deals with outside toxicity levels by shutting the car's air vents when the built-in toxicity sensor detects one too many free radicals. But it just wouldn't be a spa without soothing scents, so the car has been set up to diffuse essential oils created by Biotherm to keep the driver calm no matter what time of the day, using three different scents to take care of morning, noon, and night.

GE throws a peek at VScan, the ultra-futuristic portable ultrasound

How do we say wow in a million different languages? Well, we won't attempt that humongous task but instead spend some precious time staring at this little gem from GE - VScan - the portable clamshell ultrasound machine unveiled at the Web 2.0 summit by the big horse himself, General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt.

The VScan is so small that had we caught sight of it on TV, we would give it the same seriousness as we do Teleportation today. But it is real, and functional - the little gadget is aimed at doctors who could use it locally to generate quick scans, rather than burden their patients with the waiting period required to get a scan from a ultrasound specialist's office. Immelt indicated that the device will be "very digitally capable" with the ability to save images, but without the Wi-Fi connectivity required to wirelessly transmit ultrasound images. The VScan will be available next year, and you bet we are keeping our eyes & ears open for any sign.

Via Pocket-lint.

Serio glass loudspeakers from Waterfall Audio can blend into a bookshelf or a wall

Good-looking, minimalist speakers made exclusively from glass and aluminium, and carrying versatile placement options - summarizes the latest Serio speakers released by Waterfall Audio.

Waterfall quotes a 150Watt peak power, with 30-80Watts recommended amplifier for the 2.25 Lbs (each) Serio speakers which can apparently deliver exceptional sound quality thanks to their patented "Acoustic Damping Tube" system.The speakers are compatible with both Hi-Fi and AV applications and use a patented heat dissipation technique which can effectively withstand and handle high power levels - thereby giving the option to place the speakers even within the frugal space granted on your bookshelf. But ofcourse, other placement options are available too - hang them on a wall, or just place them on a convenient stand and they are good to go.

All said, figure if you can really afford the £179 (around $300) price tag that each unit carries. Then, take your pick from plain black, white and silver or the fashionistas in orange and green (all with matching grills).

Via Shiny Shiny.

iphone Oh, My Word! Sequel with ngmoco’s Plus+

Bristol, UK, 13th October 2009 – Tap ‘n’ Slide and B-Boy Brawl developers Mobile Pie today announced a sequel to their acclaimed iPhone and iPod touch word puzzler, Oh, My Word!

Oh, My Word! 2 follows on from the brain-box bendingly simple yet highly-addictive original, with Time Attack and Survival featuring alongside the Classic mode. The sequel also brings with it integration with the Plus+ Network.

Mobile Pie’s Creative Producer Will Luton said:
“Oh, My Word! 2 has been an absolute labour of love for us, we’ve enjoyed every minute of creating and playing this sequel and having the Plus+ Network is a real honor.”
The Plus+ Network is a social play service free to players that harnesses the iPhone OS 3.0 technology and enables players to create a persistent profile, challenge friends via social channels, compete for leaderboard glory, participate in game events and discover new games.

“We’ve built upon the original concept with Plus+ in mind, but it was a match made in heaven anyway because it straight away adds an entirely new competitive level to the fun”, said Luton.

Oh, My Word! 2 will be available at the nominal price of 59p / 99c or for free as an stripped down version featuring only the Classic game mode (Oh, My Word! 2 Free).
It is expected that OMW!2 will be released early November, however Mobile Pie are offering ad hoc preview version to selected media partners. Please contact Will Luton (will@mobilepie.com / (+44) 01173155228) for further details.

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iphone Oh, My Word! Sequel with ngmoco’s Plus+

Kyle Bean shows the evolution of mobile phones in Russian Doll style

If you agree with the line of thinking that a picture can replace a thousand words, you would surely agree with the extension - that a model can replace a zillion pictures. So assuming that it would be boring to look at a chart, however well-done, to visualize the evolution of a device, give your eyes a treat by looking at this creation by UK-based designer Kyle Bean to demonstrate the evolution of the mobile phone.

The design captures the evolution of the mobile phone in Russian Babushka doll style - starting from the earliest Motorola DynaTAC 8000X to the current Apple iPhone. A lesson or two for schools to make history more interesting.

Via Design Milk.

Massage Chair Makes You Feel Like a "Pure Lady"

There are times when a girl just needs a good massage, but who wants to pay all that money? And better yet who has the time to rush of to some fancy spa? No worries, comfort comes from the land of the rising sun.

The Pure Lady Message Chair is a portable number that will melt all your troubles away with its soothing massaging air bags that delivers accupressure to all your sore spots. Made of synthetic leather, the chair massages feet, calves, butt, waist and back while you sit and wonder what you ever did without this chair. The waist and back message are said to mimic the motions of a Shiatsu massage.

When you've been massaged back into good spirits, you simply fold it up into a neat little box. There's a handle and wheels on the bottoms so your can roll it to somewhere inconspicuous without any hassle. Or you can use it as a nifty stool where you can kick back and smell the roses.

Available in red and white or plain white, there's no word on pricing or if this product will come stateside, but there are millions of aching backs and feet that are hoping they can order this product soon.

Via Born Rich

HTC Tattoo does another Android, allows for custom tattooing

If the HTC Hero made you happy, just hang on until you see its hotstepper sibling - the HTC Tattoo. The Tattoo has just been announced and should we say, the specs are quite impressive too.

This 2.8-inch touchscreen device is pretty compact (106 x 55.2 x 14-mm / 113 grams) inspite of the features it carries. So count in a 528MHz Qualcomm MSM7225 processor, 512MB ROM, 256MB RAM, a 3.2MP autofocus camera, 3.5-mm headset jack, microSD slot, internal GPS, 900/2100MHz HSPA/UMTS and quad-band GSM/EDGE, 802.11b/g WiFi, digital compass, accelerometer, and Bluetooth 2.0. Yes, you will not miss the trademark Sense UI experience as HTC has extended it to this device as well. The covers are apparently fully customizable - and hence the device flaunts the name "Tattoo".

While the pricing is still under the wraps like a mystery tattoo in the making, the HTC Tattoo is expected to hit European shores this October, and then spread to the other markets in the months following.

Via Engadget.

Fitbit Keeps You Honest About Fitness

On the road to fitness, making the initial decision is easy, putting in the actual work is the tricky part. If you're looking for some statistical motivation you might want to check out the Fitbit.The device accurately tracks, calories burned, distance traveled, and even hours slept.

According to the website, Fitbit uses 3D motion sensor technology similar to the Nintendo Wii to track movement in three dimensions creating an accurate report on your daily exercise activities. The collected data is collected every time you walk by the wireless base included in the setup.

A little larger than a quarter, the Fitbit can be clipped to the waist of your pants, slipped into a wallet, or attached to the included wristband to record your every move. Retailing at $99, the Fitbit is a nifty device that can help kick your exercise regiment into the next gear.

Via Engadget

Digidude camera tripods are emotionally attached to the cameras they help hold up

Tripods never looked this funky, nor did they ever take the task of steading your camera so seriously. They are the Digidude portable camera tripods and you can't be blamed if you mistake them for cute looking keychains with big personality. Until you go about unscrewing the head of one of the little men, and find yourself staring at a small bit of screw jutting out of the torso. And then you realize that this dude can do magic for your camera.

The Digidudes, designed by the open-source community called Quirky, have retractable legs that can be stretched out for height-adjustment/grip. They are absolutely low-maintenance too - you can easily string one through your keychain or camera bag, and forget all about its existence until you need to use it. They can mount most point-and-shoot cameras, flipcams, and more. There are 5 dudes to choose from - Pinky Scorsese, Snot Buster, iChomp, BoltBot, and G-bling-Money-Son. Choose your man before they are all taken, as only a limited 250 of them will be made. And oh, polygamy is encouraged and allowed. At $19.99 a piece.

Via Core77.

Samsung's Trill Makes Beautiful Music

Samsung recently unveiled the Trill, a mid-level phone for those that want more than your basic no-frills device, but don't need all the bells and whistles that come with most smartphones. The Trill is a cute little slider that will appeal to all the music lovers out there. The phone's curved shape is inspired by the rounded figure of the violin.

Powered by Bang & Olufsen’s high-powered audio tech called ICEpower will deliver crystal clear sound. According to the website, "You’re not listening to a playlist, you’re taking in a performance." We'll have to snag a review device and be the judge of that for ourselves. In addition to the quality sound, the Trill comes with a one touch Music Access button for easy access to your music. There's also 1GB of memory to store all your favorite tunes and a microSD card slot that can handle up to 32GB.

Period Relief is a Pill Away

One day soon, period pain might be a thing of the past thanks to a new drug currently being tested. This possible boon to womankind is being tested and developed by Vantia Therapeutics. Designated VA111913, the pill, taken orally, could potentially take the place of current methods of alleviating menstrual cramps including aspirin.

According to recent trials, the pill levels out the muscle contractions that are the main cause of painful cramps. With Phase I testing deemed a success, Phase II of the testing will include "128 women aged between 18 and 25 in the UK and the US." The results of the testing should be ready for review sometime in 2010.

If testing is successful, the drug could be available in as little as four years. Until then, women the world over will have to grin and bear it and keep their fingers crossed.

Via Gizmag

CEATEC gets Sharp to show off NetWalker, its smartphone-netbook combo

Sharp has cleverly walked into the as-yet-unnoticed space between two electronic giants - the smartphone and the netbook - by introducing NetWalker PC-Z1, a mini netbook with a 5-inch WSVGA touchscreen interface, developed for the Japanese market.

The NetWalker showed up at CEATEC Japan and promises to cater to those ambiguous minds which are eternally undecided between using a chic touchscreen or sticking to the old-fashioned convenience of a tactile keyboard. The device comes bundled with 4GB memory, microSD slot, optical pointer, a USB port, WiFi and a robust battery life of 10 hours. It runs on Ubuntu and offers all the conveniences of a standard netbook in addition to being a portable electronic dictionary and e-book reader.

The NetWalker is scheduled for a late October release in Japan at a price of 44,800 yen (US $500). And oh, you can get your first impressions with this detailed unboxing from the folks over at Pocketables before you schedule that next vacation to Japan.

Via DVICE.

Disposable Paper Laptop could turn out to be quite indispensable

Designer Je Sung Park is striving towards the idea of us careless masses being able to throw away our laptops if need be. And yet leave no harmless waste for the environment to deal with.

That maybe an overstatement, but we love that the idea of recyclable laptops is budding in such creative minds. Park's idea is that of a eco-friendly laptop that uses recycled paper or pulp for its external casing instead of metal or plastics. The laptop itself, he proposes, will be designed in "layers" so that you can easily throw away damaged portions without being accused of creating more e-waste. Sounds great, even if only on paper.

Via Yanko Design.

Switch

I am always intrigued by new designs that aim at energy saving, which is probably why my attention was caught by Switch a power socket designed by Yong-jin Kim. Switch’s purpose is to help users save on their electricity bills that are often affected by the Stand-By power of many appliances and gadgets left plugged in. By making it very easy and effortless to disconnect any type of power-sucking device, the consumer’s “lazy” or “forgetful” behavior can therefore be modified. So, instead of bending down all the way to your power socket and unplug whatever is contributing to both a bad consumer and environmental behavior, you can now bend all the way down but simply turn the plug to turn it off.

And now I wonder, is Switch really making a difference?

I like its concept and sleek design but I am not convinced that it will influence a behavioral pattern for the better. Granted, its fancy style will make my power sockets look a lot nicer and my apartment a lot tidier than if I would have a bunch of unplugged cords lying around, but if I forget or am just too lazy to unplug my appliances I wonder how Switch will make it any easier for me to either remember or make it so effortless to unplug the incriminating device that I will actually go ahead and do it.

Via Yanko Design.

Babies: The Latest and Greatest Gaming Peripheral

Babies are cute and marketable. Which is why Nintendo in its infinite wisdom has decided to put a Wiimote inside a baby. Not a real one mind you, that would be too messy and cause a media crapstorm. In addition to boxing gloves, a football, and of course guns of various shapes and sizes, now you can add baby to the list of unnecessary Wii accessories.

The doll is part of a limited edition package for "Baby and Me". The game is a simulator, letting players go through the joys of parenthood without actually having one of their own. Using the balance board, devoted parents must attend to the needs of their darling baby girl including feeding, burping, and yes, diaper changes. So what's the Wiimote-packed doll for? When baby is upset, it cries through the speaker in the Wiimote, alerting parents that it's time to get off their lazy butts and onto the balance board. It also giggles and gurgles in approval of your servitude.

Apparently this game hits stores on November 10. You won't find me clamoring for this "game", but it would definitely make a cool gift for a kid this holiday season.

Via Kotaku

Sony S-Frame Prints Your Favorite Photos

Here's a digital photo frame I can actually live with. Enough with superfluous features like radio and weather reports. Sony's new all Sony DPP-F700 a.k.a. the S-Frame digital photo frame. The F700 is multitasking done right, combining a digital photo frame with a printer.

The 7-inch LCD can hold up to 2,000 images thanks to the 1GB of internal storage. There are also slots available for memory sticks, SD cards, and SDHC cards to name a few. Images are viewed in 600 x 400 resolution and can be adjusted to portrait or landscape. Photos can be edited via the frame including crop, enlarge, minimize, brightness, hue, and color adjustments. Photos can also be used to create a calendar, layout print, or slideshow.

Voice Activated Crib Light is Relief for Parents and Children

After hearing the horror stories from friends with newborns of days with little or no sleep for days at a time, I've learned to appreciate a god night's sleep. Fortunately for those going through the transition of having a new baby in the house, someone empathizes with your plight. The folks over at ThinkGeek are selling a Voice Activated Crib Light with Womb Sounds.

If you're little one should wake from his or her restful slumber in a fuss, three colored lights turn on in response to the cry and start rotating to soothe your child. In addition, the device will play actual "womb music", sounds recorded from the womb. Just strap it to your baby's crib and the crib light will play for ten minutes after hearing your baby's cry which with any luck, will lull them back to sleep allowing you to get a full eight hours.

For only $14.99, the Crib Light is a 6.5" x 5" x 2.25" miracle worker if it actually gets the job done. It runs on 4 AA batteries and can be strapped to the crib or just laid flat. So would you give this gadget a shot or do you think it's too good to be true?

Via Coolest Gadgets

Don't throw away those tapes yet, Ion Tape Express can convert them to MP3

Though the technology revolution can be unforgiving, some kind folks are ever considerate. Because thankfully, they are working to satisfy the needs of those of us who are somewhat fazed by the speed at which we have been forced to adapt to latest "trends", but still cherish the memories connected with retro days and secretly wish we could have it all.

Well, as far as retrieving the music on your old cassette tapes goes, there is an option. Called the Ion Tape Express, it is simple and straight-forward. Put the cassette in, connect the device to your PC via the USB interface, and press "play". Voilà. The tunes are instantly converted to MP3 and can be taken into your iTunes library, your iPod or MP3 Player, burned onto CD, and virtually any other digital platform. And if you like to relive olden times, just listen to the music off the device which, by the way, also functions an ordinary walkman. You can power the device through USB, or with standard AA batteries. The Ion Tape Express is good to go with Mac, Windows XP and Vista operating systems and is available for pre-order at $82.

Via Retro To Go.

Scoring Karaoke sniffs out Sinatras in hiding

For all those who secretly think of themselves as rock stars in the making, but are unsure of voicing that thought out loud, maybe you should hold the secret in a bit longer. And consider getting an honest opinion on your singing skills from this silent judge - the Scoring Karaoke Game system.

This karaoke machine has a built-in pitch detector that determines whether your singing is in sync with the song that is being played out, and accordingly gives out a score for your benefit. The microphone communicates wirelessly with its control box, which plugs directly into your television with the included AV cable, freeing you from a typical microphone's cord that may constrict your movements. The system comes pre-loaded with 100 songs and you can download new songs by plugging the microphone into your computer using the included USB cable or using an SD card (not included).

That's not to say that great singing is only about pitching or sounding like another person, but you can make a start, nevertheless. And the best part? The secret is always between you and the microphone. Available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $199.95.

Via OhGizmo.

Monster announces Miles Davis Tribute limited edition headphones

Lady Gaga move over, and collectors sit up once more - Monster has announced yet another limited edition "in-ear" headphones, this time as a tribute to legendary trumpeter Miles Davis.

Created in conjunction with Miles Davis Properties, LLC, the new headphones, called Miles Davis Tribute headphones, will bear the official name and signature of the musician himself. The headphones will sport a gold/brass finish directly inspired by the actual trumpet played by Miles Davis, with his silhouette and signature on the earpiece. There's more music for your ears - those who choose to afford the limited edition headphones will also be blessed with the official 50th anniversary boxed set of the artist's album Kind of Blue, featuring two music CDs, a DVD and a 24-page booklet. Plus, Monster offers a great one-time Limited Lifetime Replacement Guarantee on the Miles Davis headphones, meaning you break the headphones accidentally and Monster will replace them at no charge.

Pricing and availability is not yet known, but stock up on some hard cash if you are planning to be on the list.

Via Slippery Brick.

Revo heritage iPod/iPhone dock is also a radio with retro design

With docks floating dime-a-dozen around the iPod/iPhone accessory market, why would you consider another one just now? Well, consider what the Revo Heritage iPod dock propositions enticingly - handcrafted American Walnut body with the switches and inlay custom-manufactured for a complete 60's look and feel. Well, well.

And we've just begun. Hidden inside the lovely retro facade is all of cutting-edge technology - DAB, DAB+, FM and Wi-Fi internet radio, DLNA UPnP streaming, plus docking for your iPhone or iPod (all models). The minimalistic design packs in a ‘secret-until-lit’ graphical OLED screen, with a high-end 7W amplifier, 3-inch neodymium speaker driver, and a remote control. A USB port allows connection to other MP3 players or memory sticks with MP3s and even the videos on your iPod can be output to the OLED display via a video-out socket. Included with this awesome package is a 30-day trial package from online music service Last.fm, which gives you access to its database with more than 5 million tracks and is capable of generating a unique playlist each time you access it.

The Revo is due for an early November UK launch from John Lewis at a totally upmarket price of £229.95 (around USD $375).

Via SlashGear.

Humanoid robot Saya plays receptionist at Tokyo store

If you had walked into Takashimaya - Tokyo's premium retail store - anytime during October 14th to 18th, you would have been greeted rather mechanically. No, not a figure of speech, just the bare truth. For the receptionist at Takashimaya was Saya - the speech-capable robot created by Professor Hiroshi Kobayashi from the Tokyo University of Science.

This "female" robot has been designed to provide about 700 programmed responses to questions and commands - enough to direct customers to the appropriate floor, make small talk(!), and answer a few basic questions about herself and her background. And to help her pull off the con are pneumatic actuators in Saya’s head which allow her to move her neck, mouth and eyes while she speaks, and to also create facial expressions ranging from happiness and surprise to sadness and anger.

Now imagine what made her angry. The compliment "You are pretty" to which she replied scornfully "Are you crazy?". Whoever said "Vanity, thy name is woman", take it back.

Via Pink Tentacle.