Freeze your Doggie’s Poop August 27, 2005

Remember the movie "Envy" with Ben Stiller and Jack Black?  A couple of Chinese students designed  a real life concept similar to Vapoorize called "Poo Proof’, a freeze aerosol spray that enables dog owners to dispose of dog mess by freezing it with the aerosol spray so they can pick it up with a stick and dispose of it quickly and easily. The spray comes in a dog-bone shaped package that contains liquid nitrogen.  The contraption won them the 2005 D&AD Student of the Year Award. Sure beats picking up doggie mess with a plastic bag. If you want a similar product that is on sale now check out Poop Freeze.

Cell Phone Finder

You may be on the market for a new phone, but there are so many choices, and you may need a little help. Lifehacker points us to a website that may help you narrow down your search. My Phone Finder will show you all the providers in your zip code and the brands of phones they carry. It will sort them out by phone design, size, weight, camera resolution, bluetooth and text messaging. As you are toggling through specifications, the number of phones appearing on the screen will decrease. You can click on the phone thumbnail for more specific information. A great way to compare phone prices and models in your area. [My Phone Finder]

Sony Ericsson Speaker Cradle

The new Sony Ericsson W800i has added some interesting accessories to its lineup. This Speaker Cradle will let you recharge and transfer data or music to your phone. The concave design and specially treated surface chamber creates an acoustic chamber effect to focus sound towards the user.  The soon-to-be-released phone (midnight 8/26/05) has a 2 megapixel camera with video capabilities, bluetooth technology, is an mp3 players, and has up to 1GB expandable memory. Problem is the phone itself is too expensive, at a whopping $500.

iBall Media Player August 26, 2005

Solid Alliance released the iBall, a compact portable media player that is now availbale in black or silver. It has a 65,000 1.1 built-in EL color display, comes with 512MB of built-in memory, and can play MP3s. The little player is also compatible with Microsoft Windows ME/2000/XP. Price: 22,800 Yen available only in Japan.

Futuristic Workstation August 25, 2005

If I get one of these, I promise to write more articles. My workstation is pretty comfortable, but doesn’t compare to this futuristic one. The station can fit three flat screens, and looks like you can adjust almost every piece. The slight inclination of the table and position of the armchair reinforce complete relaxation, not to mention ergonomics. I like the foot rest, and see through walls that cocoons the desk area.  I believe its a prototype, but couldn’t find out for sure.  Via Tecnochica.

Are women technophobes?

The UK’sTelegraph published an article that I found to be very demeaning to women. The article is about gadget manufacturers having to take a more "girlie" approach if they want to win a female audience. For starters, the article starts with this remark: "Would you rip files at a high or low bit-rate? Do you prefer AAC, WMA or MP3? If you are completely baffled by these questions, you are probably a woman." They claim a recent study by the British Phonographic Industry found that 96% of tracks are downloaded by men. That seems highly unlikely. You mean only 4% of online music is downloaded by a female audience? I guess the 9% (13% men) of women who own iPods/mp3s listen to air or static on their players.

Some of the myths the Telegraph alluded to are:

1. Women are reserving judgment on iTunes: According to Mark Bjornsgaard of Artists First "..traditionally, the early  adopters of new technology are men…In five years’ time, they (women) will engage in it much more."
2. Women have different tastes in websites: A study found that women prefer plenty of colour and informal language.
3. Women are nervous that downloading will be too complicated for them
4. Women prefer shopping at Chloe-not Comet: "..there is little interest in the new, all-emailing, all videoing mobiles"
5. Women are less patient than men: According to Stuff Magazine’s editor Michael Brook "Women are less patient than men: they haven’t got the time or the inclination to read a 90-page manual and work out how to operate a camera or DVD player. They want instant gratification…they lose interest if it doesn’t work immediately, whereas men view sussing out a new gadget as a challenge."
6. Women are discouraged by other women: "They are conditioned by society to want to be seen as different to men" says Tom Stewart, a psychologist and usability expert.
7. Women are more interested in relationships and how people behave: "..so they focus on the usefulness of a gadget, not how it works. They like using mobile phones because they are big talkers.."
8. Women are from Venus, Men are from Mars: "Women are more likely to buy digital cameras and mobile phones because of the social element, whereas men buy hardware that is more solitary, such as laptops and gaming devices"
9. Women are lazy: "If I’m honest, most of the time I deliberately act helpless, because I know there will always be someone who can help me, whether it’s my husband or a male colleague at work," says one Lucy Dobbs.

I found the article on "I Blame the Patriachy", who points to Gender Geek who dispells the myths mentioned in the artice above on her site. The Guardian wrote a similar article about the BPI findings, yet they did not immediately dismiss women as being technophobes.  Napster’s spokesman Adam Howorth thinks the payment process may be concealing women users, "Because a Napster account can be used on three different PCs or laptops, and a Napster To Go portable subscription across three different compatible MP3 players, even if the registered member is male, it’s highly likely that girlfriends, wives or daughters [also] use the account," he says. What do you think?

Rebe Laptop Sleeve August 24, 2005

Rebe’s laptop sleeves are designed to fit into any tote or overnight sac for quick and safe access to your laptop. These days, I am yet to be impressed by all the laptop bags out there. I have seen some really great totes, and that is what I tend to use as a laptop case. Problem is they do lack padding, and my laptop is a bit bulky.  I own a few laptop sleeves with padding and this is how I ease my mind. They are a great way to carry your laptop without screaming, "Rob Me" with those over expensive designer cases we all covet. Price: $78 at Rebe.com

Truly Fashionable Connie Sac

Disguise your laptop inside this oversized case that also doubles as an overnight bag. The Connie Sac comes in 3 colors, blue, yellow and red. Inside a padded pocket with a velcro strap will hold your notebook in place. There is lots of space inside to hold your books, papers or an outfit for those happy hour parties.  An outside pocket holds your cellphone, keys or accessories you need easy access to. I enjoy everything about this case. The patterns, colors and shape are very unique. The sac holds a small 14" iBook, or the large 17′ Power Book. Rebe will customize your sac with any color and pattern of your choice. Price: $250.00

Bean Sprouting Messages of Love

You put all that care into your plants, and what do you get in return? Well in this case, you get a heartwarming etched message that will forever make your day. Takara’s ‘Can of Words’ plant is a fun way to communicate your feelings.  Takara puts a short and sweet message on the seeds (before they are planted) with a laser. After the seed grows into plants, the message is emblazoned on the leaves for all to read.  Can of Words is available with the following messages: Thank You, Good Luck and Get Well.

1. Open up the can and add water
2. Give it lots of love and water for 5 days
3. An etched bean sprout will emerge from the can to reveal its happy message

NYC Luxury Pooch Hotel

  Most pet owners in New York can now drop off their "kids" at at Happy Paws while they tend to their busy schedules. The 9000 sq ft premier pet spa opened June 25, 2005, and offers hi-tech amenities for both you and your pet.  The place is equipped with live web cams so you can check in on your pet anytime. The best part is the VIP Themed Private Pet Suites that come complete with flat screen TV’s and DVD players to stimulate your pet’s imagination.