droolicious : technology

Blocks that Rock: LEGO Boombox

JeanneSager — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:01:00 GMT

Who knew you could make LEGO any more rockin'? Digital Blue is trying - this summer they're set to unveil a boombox and MP3 player - with the real LEGO name.

Ten times the size of the real thing, the boombox will be one mega LEGO brick, with the little bumps traditionally used for inter-locking your blocks doing double duty as volume and tuning controls. And true to LEGO life, even the little dials sport the LEGO name.

And since everything is portable these days - even the big block sound - the MP3 player boasts two gigs of space for some one thousand kid tunes and look like a tower of blocks already pieced together for their listening pleasure.

Both retailing for $39.99, they'll hit stores this summer, at which point we'll all be teaching our kids to rock around the block.

More LEGO goodies:

LEGO My Dinner

Mind-Controlled Games: The Force May Be With You This Fall

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:30:00 GMT

You won't be able to whack it with a lightsaber (yet), but when Uncle Milton Industries' Jedi Force Trainer hits stores this fall, you will be able to use the toy to flex your real-life Star Wars muscles. And you literally won't need to lift a finger to do it.

To play, you strap on a wireless headset that transmits to the toy's remote tower and converts your brain waves into action (much like a grade-school version of an EEG). Eventually, just like Luke Skywalker did under Obi-Wan and Yoda's tutelage, you learn to harness the "force" within your noggin enough to make the tower's sphere move up and down inside its clear plastic tube. Sounds fun, if only for a moment -- we imagine the novelty could wear off rather quickly.

Mattel also plans to roll out its version of the same technology in an upcoming game called Mind Flex. In this one, however, you focus your brain waves on a tiny fan that moves a ball through a tabletop obstacle course. Look for it this fall, priced at around $80, while the Jedi Force Trainer is estimated to come in somewhere between $90 and $100.

Both games are the latest announcements in what seems to be a growing mind-control gaming trend -- check out Engadget's coverage of the similar (if higher-tech) gizmos Mindset and Epoc for the skinny on those. [USA Today, Engadget]

Gorillapod Go-Go

Chris Ford — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:48:00 GMT

Imagine you're on an airplane, or a car trip, or any public place where you want the kids quiet, occupied and sitting down. Bringing the portable DVD player might not be feasible, but with all the iPhone's, iPods, cell phones and other small portable video devices out there, having something handy they can watch isn't out of the question. The real question is, how do you get more than one kid to watch it without them fighting over it. I present to you, the Gorillapod Go-Go.

The Gorillapod has been a handy portable table-top tripod for some years now, but manufacturer Joby has made it even better. The Go-Go comes with (in addition to the standard tripod screw mount) adhesive clips and a suction cup mount. The adhesive clips (there are two) would be for things that you would frequently attach to the Gorillapod, but the suction cup mount will attach to most anything with a flat, smooth surface. Which is (as it turns out) is perfect for an iPod, cell phone, GPS or anything else you can think of.

The website says they are "Coming in April 2008" and there isn't a price, but the regular Gorillapod retails for around $21.95. Check it out at Joby.com.

Halo UV Vacuum Kills Allergens Dead

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:02:00 GMT

It's fitting that the Halo 3290 UV-ST Ultraviolet Vacuum ($500) shares a name with everyone's favorite space-age shoot-'em-up videogame: Employing UV-C technology -- the source of that hypnotizing blue glow at its business end -- the Halo kills dust mites, flea eggs, bacteria, viruses and other creepy-crawlies as it sucks the dirt out of your carpet. It also packs a HEPA filter to trap pollen and dust mites, as well as a 13-foot hose with tools for cleaning even the most neglected corners of your kids' rooms.

HP TouchSmart PC: Computers Designed for Families

modmom — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:02:00 GMT

A computer screen that's okay for your kids to write on? Get in touch with technology + keep your family connected, organized + entertained with the HP TouchSmart PC. Touch the screen to get instant access to the internet, television, music, movies, photos, family schedules + information on your PC. It’s easy enough for the whole family to use. Manage your family’s schedule by updating calendar events + creating your choice of voice, written or typed messages. The 19" flat panel monitor space-saving all-in-one design looks great in any décor. ($1,849 here) See it live! Click here to watch the video!