Pepper Spray in a Flip-Phone October 31, 2005

PhoneyWorld found this inconspicuous pepper spray in the shape of a cell phone at Aving.net. It works by pulling off the antenna and pressing the button as you aim towards the attacker. If that doesn’t work too well, the device will also let out a loud ring panic alarm to help you get away. Just be careful not to confuse the CarryGuard with your real cell phone in the dark, or you’ll have to deal with a very pissed off boyfriend.  [via Textually]

Flowery PC accessories

Akihabaranews who always finds the most original Japanese gadgets, found this new array of flowery computer accessories from Kokuyo. The Japanese company offers a series of mice, mousepads and DVD/CD cases in bright flowery patterns. The mouse is said to easily fit in the hand of a woman. The patterns come in 6 colors: red, blue, pink, gray, green and or orange. 

AMIGO to your undies

Did I miss something? I wasn’t aware that our undies needed a good ozone sterilization.
I feel so dirty now.  A Korean company
created the AMIGO who sterilizes lingerie and baby products. It sterilizes them and dries them with ozone (03),
a powerful disinfectant and hot water saver.  Apparently, you
can also use Mr AMIGO as an air purifier.   The device comes in two colors: white and purple. For the bacteria freak in you, this device will save you a lot of sleepless nights.  [Via Engadget]   

Shower with your iPod

You wish you could take your iPod everywhere, but until now you have been afraid to take it with you to the shower or the pool. Maybe you want to listen to your ‘soothing’ playlist while taking your bubble bath, ala Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman (remember her lip syncing to Prince?). iSplash is the new way to wirelessly transmit your favorite tunes from your MP3 player or satellite radio to a splash proof speaker. It has a rotating speaker handle that you can hang from a shower head, curtain rod or outdoor fence. Or you can listen to Desperate Housewives while being up to 150 feet away. The 900MHz dual-frequency PPL transmitter with ZipConnect will send audio from your iPod to up to four additional speakers, so every one can enjoy your cool tunes. Price: $129 at Sharper Image

Trick your Scion October 30, 2005

I was over at Adrants, a personal favorite, and found out some interesting quips marketing teams are spawing in their creative cells. I haven’t really seen many car companies launch a campaign consisting of Halloween-themed billboards and online banners. Scion is thinking outside the box, and promoting their hipster model, the Scion with the headline "Trick and Treat". According to the press release, the rationale behind the ad was to "futher communicate the brand persona of personalization through accessorization".  But what I want to know is if the car comes in that Batman design?

Halloween Contest October 29, 2005

  Dressing up your gizmos this Halloween! Send us your pictures! We will select 3 lucky winners who will be able to "bring their audio back to life" with a Boostaroo Revolution. No photoshop please. Winners will be selected on Halloween Monday October 31, 2005 November 4, 2005 (extended). You can also enter photos of you dressed up in your geeky costume, we will take them. So if you dress up like an iPod, take pictures. Top winner will also get a $50 Gift Certificate (store of your choice). Send your entries to techiedivas@yahoo.com.  Please submit digital photos with datestamp.  Hurry up and send your entries!

Breathalyzer Cell Phone

"Kampai! So how drunk am I? I bet I am drunker than you."  I can see this phone being the life of a party. Going around measuring everyones alcohol levels, while they try to outdo each other. Well Koreans are pretty excited about the new LG cell phones that have built-in breathalyzers, and a remote control for your TV, DVD and Karaoke machine. Simply blow on the phone, and your alcohol levels will pop up on the LCD screen. Blow on it twice and power up the Karoke (wishful thinking). Too bad it doesn’t come with a voice analyzer that will tell you when to stop singing at those crazy Karoke parties. [Via Ubergizmo and Mobile Mag]

Women who make tech happen

Every day we bring you the latest news in technology, but have you ever wondered if any women were involved in the making of some of these gadgets? Although there are women in these fields, they are few and far-in-between. I used to work in the R&D department of a company who manufactured test and measurement equipment, and my group only had 2 women out of 30 engineers, while most groups had a zero female presence. The BBC reports on the inaugural Blackberry Women and Technology Awards where women gathered to celebrate each others achievements in technology.  The number of women working in tech fields continues to drop, and the consensus at the meeting was that women must continue to encourage each other while working in the tech industry. Meg Munn says that "younger women in particular needed role models to encourage them to think about careers in the profession".  My favorite quote in the article goes to Dr. Jackie Edwards, who says "It doesn’t require extra muscles or testosterone to operate a computer". That’s right sista!  Dr. Edwards runs a project that tries to raise information and communication skills for men and women in deprived areas of Leicester. Part of her approach is taking an AIBO Robot with her to make technology approachable.  Source: BBC

Come-Hither Trick or Treaters

It’s that time again, when trick-or-treaters will be knocking on your door looking for some candy. This year, beckon them to come near if they dare with this animated talking skeleton. His mouth moves  and his eyes light in sync with your voice. Just speak into the microphone while hidding in a nearby location and watch the kids squirm.  Price: $31.99  Product Page

Solar Powered Motion-Sensing Camera

Gotta love solar-powered gadgets, I mean what’s not to love? This color PIR Camera & Receiver requires no electricity or wiring yet it transmits video and audio from up to 250 feet. The camera has a motion sensor that detects voices and images, and will know when to record as long as the sensor is triggered. It’s perfect for those times when you are on vacation, or just want to monitor activity outside your house. Price: $299 at Smarthome