The Talking 30 Language Translator.

This is the talking translator that articulates over 69,000 phrases and 600,000 words across 27 European languages and three Asian languages. Only available from Hammacher Schlemmer, the device provides access to translations for preprogrammed words or common travel phrases to and from English (uses the New Oxford American English Dictionary). European languages include Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovakian, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, and Ukrainian. Chinese, Japanese, and Korean are also included. About the size of a PDA, the translator has a backlit LCD that shows the word or phrase, pronunciation, and script for non-Latin alphabets, then speaks the word or phrase in your language of choice. Converts eight currencies and calculates between metric and Imperial measurements; provides local and world time. With calculator, calendar, Sudoku, address/phone book, carrying case, and earbuds. Includes two AAA batteries. 3" H x 4 1/2" W x 1/2" D. (8 oz.)
Price:$249.95
You can buy this item at:hammacher.com

The Bluetooth Shower Speaker.

This is the shower speaker that wirelessly streams music from any Bluetooth-enabled device. The speaker connects wirelessly to an iPhone, iPad, or Android-powered device, allowing you to listen to your personal music collection or stream music from apps. The built-in LED screen shows the current time and the control panel on the front of the speaker allows you to scroll through music tracks, pause or play music, and adjust the volume. The water-resistant speaker can be hung around a shower head, set up on a ledge with its integrated stand, or attached to a wall with the included, removable adhesive strip and mount. Requires three AA batteries that provide up to 15 hours of power. 6" L x 4" W x 1" D. (3/4 lbs.)
Price:$99.95
You can buy this item at:Hammacher.com

ASUS AiGuru S1 – The new videophone from Skype

 Skype in association with ASUS have jost released the first Skype certified videophone, the ASUS AiGuru SV1 and we’ve got our hands on one of the first units.
Functionality
The ASUS AiGuru SV1 offers full Skype video conferencing facilities with the need of a PC. You can use it for Skype-to-Skype video and voice calls (both free) and as with regular Skype you can call regular landlines and mobiles at discounted rates. You may also use it to make and receive conference calls (3 or more people), however in this mode there will be no video and purely voice.
For me the main use will be when I’m travelling abroad, I’ll leave the videophone at home and be able to have videophone conversations with my family from my laptop, with the only cost being the WiFi connection in the hotel, sweet!

Installation

Installing the AiGuru was a straightforward process. You’ll need an existing broadband Internet connection and you can either connect the videophone via the supplied network cable or wirelessly. The wireless connection is the most convenient but you’ll need to enter any WEP or WPA key via the cursor keys and onscreen keyboard which is a bit fiddly. I’ve noticed it seems to forget the WEP key on occassion and you need to re-enter it, hopefully this will be fixed in a software update.

You can also tweak the display settings (brightness, hue, saturation, etc.) but I found the picture and video quality to be absolutely fine straight out of the box.

Portabilty

You can run the AiGuru straight from the mains, however it does come with a re-chargable battery so you can move it around. The screen housing is adjustable and is both comfortable with placed on a desk or your lap.

Conclusion

I’ve found the Skype videophone to be a great piece of kit and will certainly make good use of it. It is on the heavy side but I don’t think it’s meant to be used on the move. You can buy the ASUS AiGuru SV1 from the official Skype Shop for £219.95

The Sound Enhancing Portable Bluetooth Speaker.

This is the travel-worthy speaker system that provides optimized, high-fidelity sound from any wireless source. When paired with a smartphone, tablet, or other wireless device, the Bluetooth speaker's digital signal processor analyzes the incoming signal and employs a patented algorithm to achieve the highest audio resolution possible. As a result, the 2 1/2-inch, 6-watt woofer, and the two 3-watt tweeters deliver ambient sound with a richness that belies their size. The speaker unfolds from a leather-covered hard-sided case that serves as its stand, delivering robust audio anywhere a traveler desires. It also acts as a travel alarm clock, and an extendable antenna allows it to receive FM radio signals. A 3.5mm line input lets you connect the speaker to a non-wireless source. Rechargeable Li-Ion battery provides five hours of run time from a six-hour charge. Includes drawstring travel bag. 4" H x 6" W x 5" D. (7 lbs.)

The Caramel Apple Maker.

Autumn has arrived! Which of course means a chill in the air, football on TV and harvest themed everything. Chefs everywhere will be ramping up their kitchen to prepare plenty of feasts for all to share, involving things like pumpkins, squash, carrots, grapes and of course apples. Apples of all colors arrive by the bushel in the Fall season. Why let an apple just be an apple when you can slather it with candy!

To make the “caramel-fi-cation” of apples easier and cleaner, Hammacher Schlemmer exclusively offers this Caramel Apple Maker, $79.95. Electronically powered, this stainless steel, 14 ounce melting pot avoids the stove. Yep, that means no burnt caramel on your favorite pans and easy, hand wash clean-up. Plus there’s no need to use the stove so it is kid friendly. And the ‘warm’ setting means you won’t overheat the delicious dipping sauce when not in use. Now a true caramel apple fanatic enjoys nuts or sprinkles or other additions on the outside, but reaching over the pan to roll your masterpiece can create mess. So, a divided tray rotates around the warmer. Insert all your favorite accoutrements to perfect your apple. The unit also does a fabulous job of melting chocolate for fondue or whatever you fancy. The Caramel Apple Maker makes a great family gift. So think of your family or others on your list this year. Let them enjoy the fun and hassle free way to make a delectable treat!

Clipboard gadget makes Coaching hi-tech

From our friends at Yanko comes designer Gordon Yeh’s game clipboard that utilizes the newly developed technology known as “E-Ink” to create a digital clipboard for hi-tech coaching on the sidelines.


If you’ve ever seen sports caster John Madden draw on the video replay to show what he thinks a play can be, then you rather get the idea what could be in the future for coaches.

Called the E-ink Electronic Coaching Playboard, this clipboard can be used for drawing plays, sketching out strategies, even examining images and criticizing them with electronic writing straight on top.

The design would come with a choice of different pre-loaded sports templates including baseball, basketball, football, soccer, et al. And with the animation feature, directions can be replayed and rehearsed to perfection.

No word on when this will be available. E-Ink is still a conceptual technology. But should it catch on (it may be Newspaper’s saving grace), then ancillary technologies like this one could become reality.