Ooma

As mentioned on Gizmodo, Ooma is a VoIP/Landline phone that provides free calls for life (in the US)... say wha...!?!

It also provides a "virtual second line" and 911 service (through your landline). At $400, it isn't cheap up front, but me thinks it pays for itself in the long run!

WSJ also had a piece on this.

Commentary/Changes

Wow! Note the rarity of posts in this blog. Add the fact that I actually lay eyes on nearly 400 blog posts, news articles and press releases (average) per DAY to find items worthy of mention, and you'll have an understanding of my frustration in keeping this interesting. My record is 2838 blog posts viewed in one day (I skipped the previous few days for vacation).

I'm considering expanding the content area to all things tech that interest me... getting out of the house, you might say.

Still, I refuse to post about the iPhone, iPod, iAnything that I see on more than 10 other blogs. The Google Phone is special to me, so I promise I'll let you know as I hear anything about it.

I'll give content areas some thought and get back to you...

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.