HC 1000 Security Camera

As found on Engadget, this little baddie allows access via internet or FOMA mobile, with QVGA resolution (3Megapixel), 2x zoom (digital only... sorry), ethernet/802.11a/b/g IP network access, and built-in microphone and speaker for 2-way communication. It can trigger your home security system to response with sirens blaring, or allow you to keep an eye on your stuff/family/office.

About $247.

Google Phone

What a lovely day. I really do love these guys. Word on the street has it that Google is working with a mobile phone prototype. Add to that the news that they're bidding for the 700Mhz band in the FCC Spectrum auction and you've got yourself some interesting news. Engadget, Gizmodo and Slashdot have been all over this (see bottom of page).

PLEASE tell me where to go to sign on to test a gPhone!

Did I mention it would be an ad-supported phone... no direct cost to the consumer? Well I guess I have now.

Have a lovely day.

(call me, Google: I can help!)

Mollers Flying Car?!?

Since 1984, Moller International has been working on the Sky Car concept. Test flights of various prototypes have been performed since 1989. Dozens of TV and magazine articles since 1998 have profiled the company and the dream. Now, the company is launching its first product!


It's NOT the full-flight Sky Car M400 that's available, though. It's the 10ft hovering M200G.



It can carry up to 250lbs at 50MPH. FLight times are expected to be about 45-90 minutes, depending upon speed (I expect the 250 pounder going 50MPH won't have to be in the air more than 45 or so. Taking orders now, but not a fixed price to be found, only that "Depending upon engine production volume the M200G price could start as low as $90,000".

Have fun, kiddos!

Ring

My alarm wakes up the entire family. When I get up, they get up. There's something about having barely-awake but needy 2 and 4 year olds running around that suck all the productivity out of the morning! Enter "Ring".

I saw this on Yanko Design and SlashGear, and thought it was pretty handy (pun intended).

Placed in the charging station, you can set alarm times for each of the two adjustable rings. At the prescribed time, the ring vibrates on your finger to wake you, and only you.

zBoost

Have signal trouble at home? In the office? Not any more! Turn your 1-bar signal into 5-bars with zBoost!

This signal extender works with CDMA, GSM, TDMA AMPS, GPRS, EDGE, 1xRTT, and EVDO (everyone but Nextel).


The only downside I can see is cost: $249.99.

Phoebe Electric Radiator

Not that I have a spot in my home that's classy enough for this...


This is an electric radiator at its core, surrounded by plates that act as heat disappators to move the warmth over a greater area. Mr. Smith Studio.

Triton Body Dryer

Towels? Who needs towels?!?

In about 3 minutes, this little widget drys you off by blowing heated air over you. Yes, it's a blow dryer for your body. Not revolutionary, but I thought it was neat.

Learn more form the makers. Note that some of the ads would not be considered safe for work in the US. Use your judgement.

Swift Rooftop Wind Energy System

This is NOT for your more urban home. Your neighborhood association won't like it at all, but on the farm, or more rural properties, this would be a nice little fella to have around.

Currently, installations are going up in parts of western Europe... can't wait to bring these home.

Most home-scale wind generators are bigger, uglier, noisier, and suffer in the turbulent wind found at these lower altitudes. This little guy is a little bigger than a satellite dish, and cranks out some serious power for it's size. Each is rated to generate about 1.5Kw at 12 meters per second (almost 27mph). Three or four should power your home with the proper energy storage, but you'll need them a little higher than roof-top to get to those wind speeds around here. Probably 50-90ft pole would do.

These are made by Renewable Devices in Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

Buy it or build it, this is one fun technology to watch. With all the recent growth in "Green Tech", this might be a company to watch, as well.

Biometric Door Locks

These have been around for a while in the office (well, some offices anyway), but are beginning to make it into our homes in styles that don't look like they belong on a bank vault.



Check out some of the varieties available from Amazon (yes, I would make money on a purchase from this link... don't let that stop you from looking).

Personally, I love the idea of having one less key rattling in my pocket, and never fumbling around with an arm full of groceries trying to get the right key in hand to open the door. Just one quick swipe and you're in.

Tech I want...

After much deliberation, I've finally decided to get this ball rolling with fresh content. Here's where we're headed:

I'm a REALTOR®, so I have an interest in what's happening in home technology. When I find things that:

1. I'd just love to have,
2. I haven't seen before or
3. I think you might not have seen

... I'll post them here. I'm also into all manner of gadgetry that don't necessarily qualify as "Home Tech"... please be forgiving: I love this stuff, and it's hard sometimes to see some of the amazing things going on in the world of technology and NOT get excited about it, and not share it. I'll try to strike a healthy balance of home tech and just really neat tech stuff.

Well... off we go! Thanks for joining me.