Six hot new gadgets

Six hot new gadgets
Jawbone is the company best known for its Bluetooth headsets. They are the leader in that industry. Their newest product does not sit in your ear, it's a wrist bracelet -- more specifically a fitness bracelet. The Jawbone Up will track your body 24/7 and will sense when you are exercising, eating or sleeping. Jawbone claims the embedded accelerometer will monitor and improve things like sleeping habits and eating regimens. The bracelet will work in conjunction with an iPhone or Android smartphone. The bracelet will send data to the smart phone application daily. You can then view what your body has done, and how to improve potentially bad habits. For example, the bracelet will inform you if you're getting enough exercise or when exactly you're the best rested. The only downside to this product is that you have to connect the bracelet to view the results via a headphone jack, kind of a stupid considering Jawbone is world renown for being best in Bluetooth devices. Anyway, this device seems fantastic and if it isn't a ridiculous price I will definitely purchase it!

RJ Romain Jerome Space Invaders Watch

This watch has to be the coolest watch ever created. Finally someone has integrated old school gaming with high-end timepieces. It is going to be available in two 78-piece limited editions. Why 78 of each model? Well that is because the arcade game was launched in 1978. The two models are as follows. A day version where the invaders are in colour, and a night version that will feature all white invaders that will illuminate in the dark. Both watches are designed to look like a space vessel. I'd go for the coloured one myself. For all you watch fanatics, here are the specifications. This awesome watch features a round shape made within a 46 mm cambered square with four functional ball-and-socket joints, a dedicated plate of Moon Silver (low oxidization silver that incorporates moon rock) on the back and a black rubber strap. C'mon man! I was hoping for a steel strap. The price is currently to be determined, but I'm guessing this watch will go for $1,000-plus. Pretty cool eh?

Pocket Bullets

Ever imagined carrying around a bullet? Legally? Well now there is a new tiny speaker out. Singbox SV-606. Catchy name, wouldn't you say? It is three inches tall and an inch in diameter. If you have one, you'll get mono sound but it will support a microSD card and plays MP3, WMA and APE formats. It comes with a standard audio jack, which means you can plug in your headphones and use it as an MP3 player. It will probably have around two GBs of storage, and cost around $50. A cool and novel idea, but this market is already dominated. Plus it is only available now at a Korean online store. How's your Korean? I could see these becoming popular if they sold for around $19, but that'll be tough to do.

The Keyport

This gadget is already available, but more people need to know about it. Keyport replaces your conventional keychain with a streamlined device that consolidates the everyday personal items (keys, USB flash drive, bottle opener, mini-LED, etc.) that you typically carry on a bulky keychain. About the same size as a traditional auto key fob, the Keyport provides access to each with just the Slide of a thumb." (mykeyport.com). This product is so ingenious I can't believe no one did it before. It allows you in one small rectangular device to hold three different types of 'blades' to avoid the big keychain that rattles in your pocket or purse now, plus it weighs less than six keys. It's a great utility that you would use every day for all sorts of tasks. I want to order a Keyport as I think it is a revolutionary product.

Magnetic Carabiners

If you go hiking need to secure something to another thing, or you like to keep your keys in one place, you would usually use a carabiner. A company called Black Diamond is developing a set of carabiners that use magnets to lock themselves instead of twist locks and screw locks. It's called the Magnetron. The magnetron is supposed to be easier to unlock then a traditional carabineer while providing better safety. Here's how it works:

-- Magnetic attraction to a steel insert in the carabineer nose keeps two independent arms securely locked

-- Locking arms must be individually depressed before the gate can be opened

-- Once open, opposing magnetic fields repel the arms to ensure smooth and reliable gate operation.

For people who use carabiners frequently, I think this new improvement will provide a better experience. It will be available in July 2012.

iPhone Helicopter

Griffin's Helo TC helicopter is a toy helicopter that can be controlled with an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch using a free application. This helicopter is part of Griffin's new mobile compatible toy line. This helicopter charges via USB and communicates with your iOS device using infrared signals. When playing a racing game on the iPhone, you tilt the screen to change directions; this is the same with helicopter. To turn the helicopter, you simply turn the iPhone the way you want to move. If you find you cannot control the chopper accurately enough by tilting the iPhone, you can always resort to the virtual joystick on the screen. Once you've decided which mission to go on, go for it and impress your friends. It will have to be a short flight, because the battery only lasts for eight minutes. A super cool device that only costs $56; steal of a deal.