Do you ever wonder what your pets do all day when you’re not there? I don’t. I mean, I don’t have to wonder because I’m pretty sure there’s a fair amount of sleeping going on, only to be interrupted by doing things they’re not supposed to do. I know this because I come home to paw prints on my countertops and napkins hit off the top of my refrigerator. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the reason why my cats are so tired when I get home is because they’ve been running around my house and exhibiting general tomfoolery in my absence. Still, it might be nice to have some hard evidence so that the next time I’m chastising my animals, I know exactly which one is to blame for the current state of disarray in my home.
The best way to find out what your pet’s been up to all day is to stick the Pets Eye View Camera (NerdSeven, $39.95) on their collar. Because this webcam-like device attaches to your pet’s collar, it records their daily activities from their own viewpoint. You can set the camera to shoot every one, five, or fifteen minutes and it can store up to 40 photos internally. So next time you want to know who’s responsible for chewing up your homework, Scruffy or Whiskers will have the photographic evidence to solve the case.
Personally, I’m not sure how well this will really work out. I mean, I bet my cats are sleeping all day. I would probably come home expecting to uncover some great mystery, only to find that Whiskers hasn’t moved from the couch all day. If I sound jealous, it’s because I am.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Resolution: 640 x 480
-Camera can shoot every 1, 5, or 15 minutes
-Stores 40 photos internally
-PC and Mac compatible
-Rechargeable Li ion battery included
-USB cable included
-Only use flat collars at least 3/8″ wide to prevent choking hazard
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
Laziness is an art form. Not many people realize that, but it is. There are many times when you might think that it’s ridiculous to ask someone else to get something for you when it’s only a few inches from where you’re sitting, but you would be wrong. I mean, why get up and get something yourself when you can get someone else to do it, right? If you think I’m crazy, ask yourself how many times you use the remote to turn on the TV, even when you’re standing right next to it, instead of doing it on manually. I believe the response you’re looking for is always.
Because laziness might as well be my middle name, I have much appreciation for the little things that make my life easier, like the Salt & Pepper Bots (Nerd Seven, $29.95). Now, we all know that reaching for the salt and pepper isn’t the most difficult thing in the world, even if your table is super long, but wouldn’t it be nice if you didn’t have to reach over someone else while they were eating? With a set of these wind-up robots, all you’d have to do is wind them and get on with your meal. These little guys will clip-clop their way across the table, where they’ll deliver the condiment of choice housed in their screw-on head to the recipient. What more could you ask for?
I know that waiting for a small wind-up toy to deliver a pinch of salt probably takes more time than just reaching across the table and getting it yourself, but that’s not the point. The point is that this is so ridiculously lazy, it crosses over into awesome. You know you agree.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 2.5″ x 3.75″ x 1.3″ (each)
-Weight: 5 oz (each)
-Wind up robots
-Salt and pepper set
-Screw on head compartment stores salt or pepper
-Made of food grade ABS plastic
A lot of us like to pretend that we don’t have a problem getting out of bed in the morning. We use every excuse in the book, including the old standby “I just really like to sleep.” Yeah, who doesn’t? There are some people out there who aren’t going to get out of bed when their alarm goes off the first time, no matter if they got three or thirteen hours of sleep the night before. These are the kinds of people who have a personal relationship with the snooze button, one that they celebrate at least three or four times every morning. It’s time to break up with your snooze button and, like most destructive relationships, it’s best to go cold turkey.
Not only are you without a snooze button, but with the Alien Hunt Alarm Clock (ThinkGeek, $18.99) you’ll have to defend your life (and our planet) from extraterrestrials. I know what you’re thinking, that aliens aren’t real and this is completely ridiculous. Are you sure about that? That’s what I thought, so maybe you should listen up. Once your alarm goes off, it’s time to get to work. Unlike last time, when that alien pops out of his egg protector you’ll be ready. The alarm goes off and you spring into action, swiftly picking up your laser light gun. The only way to silence the alien and defeat these creatures is to shoot the alarm clock, which you do with dazzling precision. Earth is safe once again, and it’s all thanks to you. But remember, if you go back to sleep, the aliens win. So it’s probably best to get out of bed.
Even if you don’t believe in alternate life forms, you’ve gotta admit that it would be pretty freaking scary to wake up to a screeching alien every morning. But if that’s what it takes to get your sorry keaster out of bed, then that’s just something you’re gonna have to learn to live with.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Includes light gun
-Alien pops out of egg when alarm goes off
-Shoot alien to shut off alarm
-Uses 5 AAA batteries and 1 LR44 button battery
-Batteries not included
-Designed in the UK
If you’re like me, you love your pets. You love so much that you wish you could take them everywhere, but sometimes that’s just not possible. Take your honeymoon, for example. Any honeymoon-worthy romantic destination probably doesn’t allow animals. Not to mention, why are you taking your pets on a trip meant for two? Some other places that it’s generally forbidden or frowned upon to take your pets: water parks, baptisms, funerals, court dates, etc. Basically, you’re going to have to learn to squash the urge to be thisclose your furry four-legged friend 24/7. Or, at the very least, fake it convincingly.
For our friends out there with feline companions, there’s the Cat-In-A-Can (Perpetual Kid, $11.99). Everyone else, you’re shit out of luck. This kitty can travel with your wherever you go and is very low maintenance. I mean, you don’t have to feed it, worry about it scratching up the furniture, or even empty its nonexistent litter box. It probably has something to do with the fact that this kitty is inflatable, but I’ll let you decide that one for yourself. So you can give this plastic kitty all the love and attention you would give your faithful felines at home, thus assuaging any possible guilt for temporarily abandoning them while you have the time of your life on vacation.
Ok, so now that you’ve solved your animal problem, the only issue left here is do your friends and family know that you’re a crazy cat connoisseur? Because that’s gonna be pretty tough for deny once your show up in Vegas with an inflatable pussycat.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 12.5″ tall
-Inflatable cat
