Calling all James Bond fans: don’t you wish that gadgets that 007 carts around were actually real? There’s no denying that James Bond is a master spy (not to mention a whiz with the ladies), but do you think he would be all as cool as he is if he didn’t have all that tech savvy helping him out? Let me put it this way – wouldn’t stock in your social status skyrocket if you owned something even as simple as exploding dental floss? I bet it would.
So maybe you can’t own one of James Bond’s actual gadgets, but the Watch Phone (Things You Never Knew Existed, $134.98) comes pretty darn close. It looks like a regular analog wrist watch, and it is, but it’s also a fully functional cell phone. Now, you’re not gonna get all the other doodads like you do with the iPhone or the Droid, but you will get a cell phone attached to your wrist. With the ability to both send and receive calls, the watch works by inserting your SIM card. The watch features six speed dial slots as well as a locking keypad and signal indicator. You can talk for up to six hours using the included hands-free headset.
This would be a totally boss way to thwart some bad guys – they think they’ve rendered you defenseless because they took away your cell phone. Little did they know it was only a decoy and your real phone is on your wrist!
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 9.5″ adjustable watch band
-Analog wrist watch that dials and receives phone calls
-Includes watch, watch band, headset earbuds, USB cable, and instructions
-Accepts most SIM cards
-Built in battery, microphone, and speakers
-6 hours talk time
-Up to 120 standby hours
-6 speed dials
-Locking keypad
-Hands free headset
-Signal indicator
-Charges via USB
Is the government watching your every move? Are you convinced there’s a tap on your phone? Is that an unmarked cop car sitting outside your apartment? Seriously, you’re probably just imagining it. Your life can’t be so interesting that you think someone else really wants to tail your every movement. Although, stranger things have happened so you can’t completely rule it out.
For the easily paranoid, the Hidden Camera Detector (ThinkGeek, $21.99) can help ease your mind. If you think you’re secretly being recorded, this device will detect it. About the size of a lighter, you can carry it everywhere and you’ll always know if someone is recording you because the device will alert you with both a blinking LED light and an audible alarm. With a multi-scanning auto sensitivity tuner and background noise elimination, you can easily detect frequencies between 50 MHz and 3 GHz.
You know how paranoid people like to think that everyone is out to get them? Isn’t that kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy? I mean, if you’re acting all sketch city, sooner or later you’re gonna do something mega crazy and get locked up for it.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Easily detects hidden cameras
-Size similar to lighter
-Auto sensitivity tuner
-Audio and LED alarm
-Background noise elimination
-Multi channel scanning
-Detects frequencies from 50 MHz to 3 GHz
-Uses 2 CR2032 lithium batteries (included)
I’m not very strong. It doesn’t really bother me all that much because I’m usually around someone who can help me out when I need to lift something heavy or can’t get the lid off a pickle jar. There are times when I’d like to at least pretend I’m an adult and that I have the ability to function on my own. Specifically, when I can’t get the cap off a beer bottle, it almost seems like I shouldn’t even be allowed to drink it.
I could go to the gym and try to build up my muscles, but that sounds like a lot of work. Instead, I’d rather trick people into thinking that I’m stronger by using the EZ Botop Bottle Opener (Drinkstuff, £7.99). Not only does this baby allow you to easily open beer, soda, anything with a bottle cap, but you can do it one-handed! Along with its innovative design, this opener creates a fulcrum that allows you to open a bottle with little to no effort. The top part is also magnetic, so the cap sticks to it after you’ve opened the bottle. I’m a fan of this feature because I am well known for attempting to uncap a beverage, only to have either the cap or bottle go flying because of my underdeveloped biceps.
Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s been a long week and I need to conduct some further testing on this bottle opener.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 40mm x 170mm x 45mm
-One handed bottle opener
-Remove cap and pour contents in one fluid motion
-Magnet retains bottle top
-Not available for delivery in Canada
Is your child always getting into your toolbox, trying to create an unstoppable machine that puts all her other toys to shame? Or maybe he just wants to give the Terminators and Transformers a run for their money in the technology department? Either way, it sounds like you’ve got a feisty little inventor on your hands and you better get started feeding their creative impulses, or they might turn against you. True story.
Your little genius would really benefit from the empowering feeling of creation associated with the DIY Three Working Robots (ThinkGeek, $39.99). Before all you parents out there start to worry, the construction skills needed for building these robots are super easy: none. No tools are required because all the parts snap into place. With three types of robot bodies to choose from and a separate circuit for each, you and your smarty-pants child can build three different robots. Each robot has a unique attribute, whether it’s object detection via infrared rays, an alarm bot with light sensitivity, or easy operation via TV remote. The real bummer here is that the kit only comes with one robot base, so you’re limited to building one robot at a time.
Sure, it kinda blows that you can’t build a unified robot army, but it’s probably a safety issue. I mean, if Skynet can become self-aware, it’s only a matter of time before your personal robot army rises up against you. And if you thought Terminators were scary, just imagine a mutiny consisting of miniature robotic insects. Absolutely frightening.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Build 3 types of robots
-Includes 3 different robot bodies and circuits with 1 root base
-Detects objects using infrared rays, light sensitive alarm bot, or operates with TV remote
-No soldering required as all parts snap together
-Only one robot can be built at a time
-For ages 8 and up
Attention all lazy people out there! Would you like be somewhat active, yet still continue to exhibit sloth-like behavior? I can tell by your lack of response that you would. Sure, laying around and letting your muscle tone deteriorate can sound like boatloads of fun, but maybe you should get up every now and then. I’m not suggesting you go out and run a marathon or anything (terrible!), but a little movement here and there couldn’t hurt. Tell you what, how about we start with something simple? I’ll even try to make it a little fun for you.
The Magic Wand Remote Control (Firebox, $69.95) will give you just a dash of physical movement while still allowing you to retain your lazy roots. And it’s freaking awesome! Sorry, but it had to be said. I mean, it’s a remote control shaped like a magic wand – how cool is that?! And not only is it shaped like a magic wand, but you actually have to perform spell-like movements in order for the remote control to work. This is where your heart-pumping exercise comes into play. With 13 predefined gestures, this wand can learn up to 13 infrared codes from your existing remote. All you have to do is match the gesture to the desired command. So say you want to turn the volume down, you might roll the wand between your thumb and forefinger in a counterclockwise direction. You can control basically any infrared device, like your TV or stereo, just by letting the wand learn the commands. Pretty simple, right?
Now, I don’t want you overdoing it. Take your time learning those commands and if you feel yourself getting weak, let someone else change the channel for awhile.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 35.5cm x 2cm
-Remote control shaped wand
-Able to control television, stereo, or any other infrared device
-3 modes: practice, sleep, and learning
-13 predefined gestures
-Can learn up to 13 infrared codes from an existing remote
-Requires 2 AA batteries (included)
-Packaged in presentation box
-Instruction manual available for download
