Smart Alternatives to the Double Stroller - HotSpotMama's Recommended Products

Wagon for 2Two years ago we were looking for alternatives to a double stroller. We've always loved to go for walks but neither my three year old nor my 1 1/2 year old (at the time) liked being strapped into a stroller.

There weren't that many choices out there at the time since we wanted something that we could easily put in our car. We came across (and ended up buying) the Step 2 Direct Wagon for Two. It was one of the best purchases we made. But our Wagon for Two had room for a couple of improvements (for example, I wish it had better wheels).

Two companies have recently come out with wagons for two. Fisher Price has come out with the Kid Utility Vehicle (KUV) and Step 2 Direct has come out with the T3 Traveler (T3). Step 2 claims to have redefine the wagon and stroller with this new hybird design. I think Fisher Price falls into this new category too. Both claim that they are for active families. Which one to buy? It’s nice to have so many choices.

KidutilityvehicleKid Utility Vehicle by Fisher-Price

This is Fisher-Price’s description of the KUV:

Transport two children in comfort and style in this rugged, ultra-portable, easy-to-fold-flat wagon! Perfect for active families, the Kid Utility Vehicle features machine-washable padded seats with 3-point restraint harnesses; convenient seatback pockets carry children’s on-the go essentials! Adjustable shade canopies provide maximum comfort for little riders. Snap them on when you need them, off when you don’t.

Designed to fold so it fits in the back of your family vehicle: durable, smooth-ride wheels easily fold up and under the frame; seatbacks fold flat, too! Equipped with Active Gear™ accessory bag attachment clips that let you custom-expand your pack and carry options—just pack, clip…and you’re on the go! Part of the Active Gear line of family products and accessories. Maximum Weight is 135 lbs (Active Gear™ accessory bags sold separately and subject to availability.)

KUV Flat[adsense:120x240:1:1]The Kid Utility Vehicle costs $150. The KUV is suppose to be sold at Babies 'R Us and Toys 'R Us stores but I could not find it at those stores and I also could not find it anwhere on Amazon. I called Fisher-Price's customer service and they said that the KUV is so new that some of the stores don't have it in stock yet. I asked when it would be available. The customer service person wasn't helpful. So I leave you with the link to Fisher-Price.

If you must have it, my advice is to call your Babies 'R Us and Toys 'R Us stores and see when its coming in. Also, I went to check it out because it seems like it would be a pain in the a-- to fold completely. So makes sure it won't take you 15 minutes to collapse the whole thing before you commit.

T3 TravelerT3 Transport by Step 2 D

DirectStep 2 Directs' description of the T3 Transport is as follows:

This compact two-seater wagon is lightweight, durable, and loaded with innovative features. You'll love transitioning from a stroller to this sleek new wagon, which sports a metallic-look frame, durable wheels with no-tip steering, a center post with hand grips, and more!

• Contoured seats comfortably accommodate one or two children

• Front-swivel EVA tires glide smoothly and silently on all types of terrain

• Foam-covered back supports and seat belts provide a comfortable and secure ride

• Lightweight folding design and molded-in handle make carrying easy

• Center post with hand grips accommodates included umbrella, which can be stored on the handle when not in use

• Molded-in cup holders fit cups, cans, or juice boxes

• Max weight: 75 lbs

• Fully assembled durable plastic body is maintenance-free and lasts for years

The T3 Two-Seater Wagon costs $89. I was able to find the T3 at Toys R Us. I stuck my two boys in it and took it for a ride. This is what I found out. It was a tight squeeze for them. Both my boys are over 40 inches and around 40lbs. The safety belt barely fit around them (but it did fit). Also, the handle is made out of metal so when I went to walk away, I tried to lean it up but it just smacked my kid in the head (and its metal so he kind of screamed at me). The plus side is that it was so easy to collapse and it is really easy to manuver. To find out more about the T3, click here .

Let me know if you buy either of these products and how you like it.

Adorable Animal LCD Monitor - HotSpotMama's New Find

Frienzoo LCD MonitorBased on my research, these adorable animal LCD monitors have been selling in Japan for two years now. They are supposingly finally making their way to the US.

I wish I had seen them when I was doing my 6/1/06 article on TVs and humidifiers that came in animal shapes.

[adsense:120x240:1:1]There are 10 variants of the LCD monitor, including frog, panda, rabbit, koala, and chicken. They have a 17 inch screen. I found a post from two years ago with the specs. I don't whether the details are still correct but here's the link.

Thanks to Engadget for letting us know that they are coming to the US market. Not that it helps most of us since the Frienzoo website is in Japanese, but here's the link to their website. Which one to get? I think I like the rabbit and the panda the best.

HotSpotMama

“FLASH-TASTIC” FLASH DRIVES! THIS LIST GOES TO 11!

Flash drives are pretty darn amazing. So small. Extremeley powerful. No moving parts. And very stable. No wonder they’re gaining in popularity.

Take a look at these FLASH-TASTIC flash drives. And check out more good stuff at InventorSpot.com .

1. SUSHI DISKS

Sushi roll drivesBackup your data on a salmon roll. SushiDisks are handmade USB memory drives that come in a variety of "flavors" and offer up to 128mb of storage.

Made by Solid Alliance. Flash Drive here.

2. MIMOBOTS™

Mimobots Flash Drive 2 Minibots claim to hail from a distant galaxy. Actually, they are limited-edition colorful USB flash drives made in the United States. The Mimobots™ can store up to 2gb and are Windows and Mac compatible.
Made by Mimoco.
Model: goSeries
Flash Drive here.

MIMBOTS

3. THE IDUCK

the IduckFrom Solid Alliance in Japan. Available in six different colors, the one in the pic even lights up when plugged in. Cool. Flash Drive here.

4. I-TICK SELF INFLATING FLASH DRIVE

bagThis things is crazy. It actually blows up – changing in size depending on the amount of data it holds.

From the wish-I'd-thought-of-that
department: the Flashbag.

It's a standard USB flash drive that has a tiny pump in it that inflates when you load it with data. So if your drive is full of stuff, it blows up like a balloon, but if it's empty it remains flat and rectangular. It'll stay inflated even when powered down, so you'll be able to estimate how many more MP3s you can leech from your friend's computer just by taking a gander.

Alas, until one of you inventors make it a reality, it’s still just a dream.
Flash Drive here.

5. EZ VUE VISTA DRIVE EZ Vue Vista Flash Drive

Flash Drive with File Viewer.
This flash drive sure makes life a little easier. The Royal EZVue Vista Drive is unique in that it allows you to view the names of the stored files.

The scroll buttons allow you to scroll down the list of file names, so that if you have several of these drives, you can differentiate between them without having to plug them into your computer.

The EZVue drive also has synchronization software embedded allowing you synchronize with directories on your hard drive.

6. THE HELLO KITTY DRIVEHello Kitty Drive

This drive from IO Data is a 512mb USB drive. It has an integrated light that is illuminated when plugged-in. It also has an attached sliding cover, which is convenient because it's impossible to lose and it keeps the USB connector clean. Of course the highlight of this drive is the Hello Kitty logo. Five thousand pieces will be produced.
Flash Drive here.

7. THE MANDARIN ALIEN DRIVEMandarin Alien Drive

Mikan Seijin USB memory
 - otherwise known as “The Mandarin Alien”. Yup, that’s what it looks like.

With a 128MB capacity and USB 2.0 compatibility, this wacky little guy features an internal lamp so his head will light up in an asian alien like mandarin color.

It will be available September 15th in Japan for 3,990 yen (~$36 USD).
And if you can read Japanese, this is where you can read more.
Flash Drive here.

8. SAKE BOTTLE USB DRIVESake Bottle Flash Drive

Ok... how much sake was the guy who invented this drive drinking?
Flash Drive here.

9. THE “THUMB” DRIVE

the Thumb DriveThis thing is truly wacky. And it looks pretty realistic. Finally, a true “thumb drive”. USB Thumb.
Flash Drive here.

10. The Barbie
 USB DRIVE

Headless Creepy Barbie Flash DriveGo ahead, rip off her head!

This thing is something right out of “Toy Story” It’s one part technology, one part strange childhood nightmare. Think Barbinator. It’s so freaky, it’s cool.

And it’s sure to leave Ken wondering what the hell he got himself in to.
Flash Drive here.

11. DIMSUM DRIVES

The Dimsum Flash Drive. Mmmm...Anyone else getting hungry?

These flash drives remind me of the artificial food sitting in the window of Chinese restaurants. Creepy, yet, not enough to keep me away from my favorite meat dumplings.

These things are soft on the outside, crunchy on the inside. And will remember when you bite them thanks to their large memory capacity.
Flash Drive here.

Nanotechnology Means Never Cleaning Your House Again : Future Innovation

Hate cleaning your house? Wish there was a way for your house to clean itself? Be patient, as that technology may be available to you in a short five years. Surface coating technology may soon mean dust gets destoryed simply by turning on a light switch.

[adsense:120x240:1:1] Nanotechnbology is finding a way for surfaces to dissapate dust, mildew and bacteria. "Not so long ago, chemical engineers discovered how to use titanium dioxide to keep buildings free of discoloring pollution. Landmarks such as the virgin-white Dives in Misericordia Church in Rome and the Marunouchi Building in Tokyo were among the first to be coated with the semiconductor, which breaks down organic molecules—including those in grime and pollution—when exposed to light and water and then releases them into the air. Soon after, TiO2-based self-cleaning products, like SunClean windows from PPG Industries, hit the home market....

[M]aterials engineer Michael Cortie and his colleagues at the Institute for Nanoscale Technology in Sydney, Australia, who are working to perfect a coating that can respond to the visible spectrum—that is, the lightbulb hanging from your bathroom ceiling....

Two chemical qualities make TiO2 an all-purpose cleaner. First, the chemical is light-sensitive. When it is struck by photons, it reacts with air and water vapor to accelerate the breakdown of organic materials. It’s a bit like an artificial photosynthesis, but whereas plants use sunlight to break down carbon dioxide and turn it into oxygen, TiO2 uses light to turn scourges like grease and bacteria into carbon dioxide, hydrogen and other by-products that escape into the air. Second, TiO2 is hydro-philic, or water-loving. Instead of repelling water—as tiles and glass do when they encourage water to bead—materials coated with TiO2 attract water, causing it to “sheet” across the surface, taking by-products and oversize particles with it.

The result: Guck rarely gets a chance to build up, and it washes away easily when it does...."

Read the whole story in Popular Science.

Weird Jewelry : My Idea of Inventive Art

Colons and Enema bags sound perfect for your girl?

]Well, as you know, Michelle (one of our bloggers here at InventorSpot.com) posts here regularly on inventive and innovative art.

I thought that with this classic collection of sculptural pieces, I was pretty sure she wouldn't ever get around to sharing with you.

So, I thought she wouldn't mind (hehe) if I used the idea to share my own take on Inventive Art with you. (Sometimes, I really crack myself up. I know, you're saying its a good thing as no one else thinks you are funny.)

Sculptures can come in many shapes and sizes. One of those forms is exquisite pieces of jewelry.

Fetus Pin Enema Bag Colon Brooch Uterus Pin

Lucan Parc has a series of miniature sculptures using the reposee method (presented here as jsilver and bronze jewelry pieces) to honor anatomy and reproduction. Their website says that "these daring miniatures cause us to look honestly at ourselves and celebrate what we are made of, our shape and form and function, in new ways. " Weird jewelry - huh? Now, I like to think of these as rare one-of-a kind pieces, don't you agree? I don't think it makes me look honestly at myself, more like honestly a little grossed out...but maybe that's just me.If you want to talk inventive art, I think these tiny sculptures are pretty novel. You can see the whole collection at Lucan Parc. So, do you see these as pieces of art? Would you ever wear anything like these? I am really curious as to what people think of these, so tell me what you think. Remember...wacky does not mean it won't sell, Amused and Bemused AmericanInventorSpot.com * * * * On a more serious note, if its been awhile since you visited our Invention Gallery, please remember to go and take a look. There are some really cool inventions there.

Ice Cream in a Blackout Anyone? HotSpotMama Find

Ice cream anyone? Kind of a confusing question if you are just looking at a picture of a blue ball. Actually, its a manual ice cream maker - The Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker by UCO. That's right - no electricity. Good thing UCO was kind enough to create it into the shape of a ball. So instead of mixing it by hand, you just roll it along.

Here are the instructions:

1. Fill the ice end with as much ice as possible, then add rock salt.

2. Mix up your ice cream ingredients in a container, then pour mix into the end with the metal cylinder.

3. Have a ball. Shake, roll and pass it around as you mix and freeze the ingredients.

4. After about 10 minutes open the ice cream end. Scrape the sides of the cylinder to mix up the ice cream using a plastic spatula or wooden spoon (don’t use a metal spoon as it will scratch the cylinder). Then check the ice end. If you notice the ice appears to be melting, pour out the excess water and add more ice. You may also need to add more rock salt to enhance the freezing ability. Close the lids securely and continue shaking for approximately 5–10 more minutes.

5. You now have about a pint of delicious soft-serve ice cream. The consistency will vary based on the ice, your mix, the outside temperature, shaking frequency, etc. Once the ice cream is to the consistency of your liking, gently scoop it out and Enjoy!

It comes in blue, orange, red (shown), green, pink and purple. It comes in two sizes - pint and quart. You can purchase it at Amazon .

[adsense:120x240:1:1]We actually purchased the Freeze and Play Ice Cream Maker and then went back to return it after we thought about it a while. It seems great in concept but a pain in the a-- to make. Some people that reviewed this product just thought it was the most incredible fun thing. Others complained that you need a lot of ice and the hole is too small to fit in traditional ice cubes from the ice tray and that it was hard to get the ice cream out (they don't provide a scoop). People also complained about the little amount of ice cream you end up with (pint) so UCO makes a quart size too. I would love to hear back from someone who has used this product.

Anyone think this product would be handy if you're stuck and bored in a blackout during hurricane season?

Tricycle as a Stroller Attachment- HotSpotMama Find

I was looking on the internet when I came this stroller accessory. Essentially, it is an attachable tricycle. You can attach the tricycle to the stoller (stroller is not included). Just wanted to restate it because it took me by surprise the first time I saw it. Let me describe the product to you and then I’ll let you know my opinion.

[adsense:120x240:1:1]The Swiss Strolli Rider (by Bibi) from Happy Stoller LLC says it offers parents with more than one child a fun, safe and stress-free way to transport their toddler without the need to buy a costly double stroller.

Swiss StrolliAll you need to do is attach the Swiss Strolli Rider to the side of almost any stroller. It is suppose to fit on most strollers with a round, scquare or oval frame. All you need to do is to clip in the coupling reducer that fits your stroller, screw the coupling onto the stroller frame, lock it in place with the coupling jaw, and its ready to go. Their website says it should take less than a minute.

The Swiss Strolli Rider has been designed so that your child sits besides you as you push, which means that your feet are free of any obstructions. The saddle has 2 height positions and the footrests and handlebars can be secured wherever is most comfortable for your child.

It is suitable for children at least 15 months old. It is recommended that you do not use the Strolli until your child can walk completely unaided and can sit independently without any help. It can be used until your child is 44lbs. Check out Happy Stroller’s website for more information.

Swiss Strolli 2I’m a little skeptical about this product for the younger kids. I was just at a birthday party today and there was a 15 month old that could walk very well. 15 month olds are still tiny. I can not imagine that I would be comfortable enough to leave my 15 month old sitting on top of this tricycle. Even if they could balance on it perfectly, I would be afraid that every time I stopped to cross the street my kid would jump off the bike. I could, however, see my 5 year old on it (he’s just under 44 lbs). As you can see from the picture above, an older child looks comfortable on it. But in the picture with younger child, the younger child looks like she could easily fall off.

My next concern is … do you have to attach and detach it every time you want to use it (this is assuming you don’t live in a city where you walk everywhere)? Also, I wonder how awkward it is while going through a store? I would love to hear back from someone who has purchased this or tried it. If you are interested it in buying it, the cheapest place I found that sells it is for $125. Check the link out? There are few other sites selling it, so feel free to look around for a better price.

REAL "MAN MADE" DIAMONDS THAT COULD DESTROY THE DIAMOND BIZ AND RE-ENGINEER THE COMPUTER BIZ.

Michelle's blog about diamonds reminded me of something I just saw in Wired Magazine. And go figure, I was able to track it down on the web to share with you. Here's the beginning... click through on the end link for the rest of the story. The New Diamond Age Armed with inexpensive, mass-produced gems, two startups are launching an assault on the De Beers cartel. Next up: the computing industry. By Joshua Davis - WIRED MAGAZINE Aron Weingarten brings the yellow diamond up to the stainless steel jeweler's loupe he holds against his eye. We are in Antwerp, Belgium, in Weingarten's marbled and gilded living room on the edge of the city's gem district, the center of the diamond universe. Nearly 80 percent of the world's rough and polished diamonds move through the hands of Belgian gem traders like Weingarten, a dealer who wears the thick beard and black suit of the Hasidim. David Clugston David Clugston Yellow diamonds manufactured by Gemesis, the first company to market gem-quality synthetic stones. The largest grow to 3 carats. "This is very rare stone," he says, almost to himself, in thickly accented English. "Yellow diamonds of this color are very hard to find. It is probably worth 10, maybe 15 thousand dollars." "I have two more exactly like it in my pocket," I tell him. He puts the diamond down and looks at me seriously for the first time. I place the other two stones on the table. They are all the same color and size. To find three nearly identical yellow diamonds is like flipping a coin 10,000 times and never seeing tails. "These are cubic zirconium?" Weingarten says without much hope. "No, they're real," I tell him. "But they were made by a machine in Florida for less than a hundred dollars." Ian White Ian White A microwave plasma tool at the Naval Research Lab, used to create diamonds for high-temperature semiconductor experiments. Weingarten shifts uncomfortably in his chair and stares at the glittering gems on his dining room table. "Unless they can be detected," he says, "these stones will bankrupt the industry." [adsense:120x240:1:1] Put pure carbon under enough heat and pressure - say, 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit and 50,000 atmospheres - and it will crystallize into the hardest material known. Those were the conditions that first forged diamonds deep in Earth's mantle 3.3 billion years ago. Replicating that environment in a lab isn't easy, but that hasn't kept dreamers from trying. Since the mid-19th century, dozens of these modern alchemists have been injured in accidents and explosions while attempting to manufacture diamonds. Recent decades have seen some modest successes. Starting in the 1950s, engineers managed to produce tiny crystals for industrial purposes - to coat saws, drill bits, and grinding wheels. But this summer, the first wave of gem-quality manufactured diamonds began to hit the market. They are grown in a warehouse in Florida by a roomful of Russian-designed machines spitting out 3-carat roughs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A second company, in Boston, has perfected a completely different process for making near-flawless diamonds and plans to begin marketing them by year's end. This sudden arrival of mass-produced gems threatens to alter the public's perception of diamonds - and to transform the $7 billion industry. More intriguing, it opens the door to the development of diamond-based semiconductors. click here to read more at Wired Magazine.com - it's a great article

Top 10 Strangest Watches - Wacky?

Watches. I love watches!! One of the best things in life is a really great watch, but I like watches to tell time. Others like their watches to do just about everything, including the dishes and the shopping.


Just because something is strange doesn't mean its not totally cool. There is a fine line between the two and I am often confused about where it lies. Are these things wacky or brilliant? TecEBlog had an article recently on the Top 10 Strangest Watches. [adsense:120x240:1:1] As I have mentioned before, for all you inventors and innovators out there, its amazing what sells so if you have a great idea, don't let others poo poo it dead. Here's the one I thought most wacky.

"The “Backside Watch” is an amusing piece designed by Open Concepts, its a watch that’s meant to be worn upside down." You can check out the rest here.

New Car Seat: The SafeGuard Child Safety Car Seat. Is it competition for the Anecia Safety Capsule? HotSpotMama New Product

I just got wind of a new child car safety seat.

In September 2005 (I know I'm a little late), SafeGuard announced the SafeGuard Child Seat. It is claimed that it is a revolutionary breakthrough in child seat safety. Since car crashes are still the leading cause of death for children in the United States, the SafeGuard was designed to address the top five misuses of child seats, as cited by NHTSA, and provide parents a child seat that is intuitive and easy-to-install. SafeGuard features include:

(1) an aircraft aluminum frame, unlike most plastic framed car seats;

(2) a SmartCoreTM headrest, for better impact protection;

(3) a patented Posi-LATCH attachment, for quick and easy installment;

(4) a unique five-point harness system which retracts like a standard seatbelt; and

(5) a one-touch adjustable headrest, for a proper fit to the child.

[adsense:120x240:1:1] This child car seat is being sold right now for $429. No, that's not a typo. The good thing is that the car seat is made for children 22-65 pounds (so your child won't outgrow the seat for a long time). The bad thing is that the seat is only front-facing and starts at 22 pounds so it is not for infants. The car seat can be purchased online at www.safeguardseat.com, by calling 1-800-974-7798, or through specialty retailers.To read the entire press release, go to SafeGuard Press Release.

So is the SafeGuard Child Saftey Car Seat competition for the Anecia Safety Capsule? I don't think so. First off, the Anecia Safety Capsule is for infants (up to seven months old) and the SafeGuard Child Seat is for kids bigger than 22 pounds (I’ve never seen a newborn that weighs 22 pounds). Second, the goal of the Safeguard Car Seat is to correct the current misuses of the existing car seats. The Anecia Safety Capsule’s goal is different. Its purpose is to take the protection provided by the existing car seats to a whole other level (even if the existing car seat is used correctly).

I don’t propose to be an expert on the Anecia. Check out Doug's blog on May 7, 2006 for a better explanation of its safety goals. There was speculation that the Anecia Safety capsule could be prohibitively expensive. In Doug Hall’s blog on May 7, 2006, he wrote that "Current deluxe infant seats cost about $250. It’s estimated that the Anecia will be about $295. Given the short time that the seat is used (up to age 7 months) – a marketing strategy is being looked at to build a special version for use as a rental. Parents could rent the Anecia for the 7 months – saving money and peace of mind." The SafeGuard is selling for $429. Janusz should be thanking the SafeGuard for large sticker price. The $295 sticker price of the Anecia isn't so shocking anymore.

Hope you enjoyed the update.

Wireless Headphones for your iPod: Cool Product

What would life be without your iPod?

Everyone has an iPod and there are tons of accessories to go with your iPod. Here's one that is really valuable for all those people tired of having the headphone wires getting tangled, hitting you in the face or getting caught on something. Logitech's Wireless Headphones for iPod uses Bluetooth technology to connect an adapter (that is plugged into your iPod) to the wireless headphones.

The digital wireless technology provides over 30 feet of range, and rechargeable batteries can play up to eight hours per charge. These headphones include a wireless adapter that snaps onto your iPod or iPod mini, plus integrated controls on the headphones so you can adjust the volume, play, pause, or select tracks without touching your iPod. It comes in two different colors - white and grey. So turn on your iPod, set it down and feel free to walk around the room. Better yet, go for a jog and there are no wires to slap you in the face.

[adsense:120x240:1:1]Works with the iPod Photo, iPod Mini, iPod U2 Special Edition, 4th Generation iPod and 3rd Generation iPod. Check them out at Logitech Wireless Headphones. You can get them cheaper at amazon. If you are considering buying, you should know that Logitech is offering $50 rebate right now if you buy it before June 30, 2006.

Hair Tragedies: Inventive Appearance

Too funny not to share, in case you haven't seen it already.

This is one of a series of photos in the Gallery of Hair Tragedies.

The site also includes soem other silly sections so go take a look.

See them all here.

Video Cameras for the Lazy and Forgetful

Ok, so really. When was the last time you looked forward to taking out your video camera to record something? Or for that matter, looked forward to trying to get what you taped off the tape and onto a format that you could watch over and over? Let’s face it. Video cameras are a huge pain in the you know what to use, especially for all those whip-it-out-and-shoot-before-the-moment’s-gone moments. I don’t know about you, but I can barely remember to keep my video camera charged. And I have no idea where any of the cables are so that I can plug the camera in to my tv and watch stuff.
If you're like me, you have a stack of digital video tapes sitting in your drawer just waiting to be watched and converted (I’m not sure how) to dvd for posterity. Oh… and considering my video camera cost over $1000 you would think it could be a little more user friendly. [adsense:120x240:1:1] Enter stage left the guys from Pure Digital Inc. Last year they introduced the world’s first one-use (disposable) video camera. And this year, they’re up to it again. They’ve created a super-simple point-and-shoot video camera. It’s a radical new design that makes taking video, well… pleasant. It has just a few buttons, doesn’t require tapes, uses AA batteries and costs under $150 bucks. And transferring your videos to a computer is a breeze, along with burning DVDs or watching them on TV instantly. You’ll soon find this camera popping up everywhere because it has been licensed to several big-name camera makers, who plan their own versions. The Point & Shoot Video Camcorder by Pure Digital Technologies; $129.99 – holds 30 minutes of footage, continuous or in segments. It’s software for viewing or sharing videos is embedded in the camera, along with it’s nifty USB connector. That means NO annoying cables or CD installation. And get this. Thanks to their previous distribution network of the disposabe digital video camera, you can take this new camcorder to stores like Rite Aid or CVS, where they’ll copy the footage off the camcorder and make a DVD, complete with menus, for about $10 bucks. You can also take the camcorder to stores like Rite Aid or CVS, where for about $10 they'll copy the footage off of the camcorder and make a DVD, complete with menus, that's playable on most DVD players and computers. Click here to find out more on their websiteIN CASE YOU MISSED IT LAST YEAR…or haven’t been to a CVS lately, here’s a look at the world’s first one-time-use (disposable) video camera – by the same guys who brought you the new super-simple camcorder I’ve been discussing.
You knew it was coming, perhaps you’ve already even seen it. But in case you haven’t, here’s your look at the world’s first one-time-use digital video camcorder. Now “the battery was dead” is no longer an excuse not to capture the video moment on your next vacation, birthday party or summer get together. Here’s how their website describes it. “The world's first one-time-use digital video camcorder. The camcorder is the perfectly portable choice for capturing everyday memories, vacation getaways, sporting events, or any time that family and friends get together. Using just three simple buttons, you can capture up to 20 minutes of digital quality video and sound. Return the camcorder to an authorized Pure Digital Retailer for DVD processing and share the fun instantly.” As video sites like Grouper and YouTube have gained in popularity so does the need for the ability to run to your local drugstore and grab a video camera to capture the next amazing clip. (If you don’t know it yet, they are sites where people post video clips made on digital cameras or webcams) [adsense:120x240:1:1] As sales of camcorders slip start-up companies are once again redefining the electronics landscape. And as Jonathan Kaplan, CEO of the San Francisco start-up Pure Digital Technologies puts it, "Most videotapes end up on the shelf, because people don't know what to do with them," Kaplan says. "We try to make it simple to shoot the video and share it." They’ve been on the shelf for a little under a year in mass, and the they’ve already sold over a million units. So… if you haven’t seen it yet, or for that matter bought it – stay tuned. Because a better version is coming out and you might just decide to make the next video that gets passed along around the world via youtube.com, grouper.com, or google video. And if sharing with the world isn’t your thing, at least you can share it with the family by easily getting it burned to a DVD. Check out their website here. And look for the products in any one of over 8,000 stores, including CVS, Rite Aid, Longs Drugs and Ritz Camera.

Innovations in Building: Good Old Concrete

"Each year, billions of tons of concrete become the stuff of buildings, highways, dams, sidewalks, and even artworks. The list goes on. Not only is the material ubiquitous, it has a long history. The Romans invented cement-based concrete more than 2,000 years ago and used the material to build architectural masterpieces such as the Pantheon. To Christian Meyer, a structural engineer at Columbia University, there's just no question about it: "Concrete is the world's most important material." ... Scientists and architects have been pushing the limits of this humdrum material to give it new features and creative functions. "Liquid Stone," a current exhibit at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., portrays the future of concrete. The show includes ultrahigh-performance concrete that bends like metal and another type of concrete that forms translucent blocks. [adsense:120x240:1:1] In pursuit of environmentally friendly construction materials, engineers are also giving concrete a hard look. Already among the most essential construction materials, concrete now seems poised to take on new roles. ... nstead of making concrete itself translucent, a small company in Germany is taking a different tack: incorporating transparent materials into the concrete. LiTraCon, based in Aachen, has developed a concrete that contains glass optical fibers the thickness of a hair. They transmit light from one side of the material to the other. Hungarian architect Áron Losonczi—who, like Wittig, experiments with construction materials—invented the translucent concrete. To ensure that the ends of each fiber make contact with the surfaces on both sides of the material, blocks of concrete are built in stages. First, a thin layer of concrete is poured into a long, narrow mold. Then, a layer of optical fibers is laid along the length of the mold. After several repetitions, the resulting long beam can be cut into short, rectangular building blocks riddled with the thin light pipes, says LiTraCon's Andreas Bittis. The fiber diameters range from 2 microns to 2 millimeters. By using fibers of different diameters, LiTraCon designers can achieve different illumination effects. Varying the size of the blocks, however, doesn't change the effect. So far, LiTraCon has made continuous concrete beams up to 20 meters long, and the fibers transmit light the entire length. With these blocks, architects can design and build a large variety of structures, ranging from translucent concrete walls to floors lit from below. LiTraCon has already received a number of requests from architects interested in the material, says Bittis. One firm in New York has proposed using the new concrete in its design of a police college in Kuwait City. Because concrete is an excellent insulating material, the building would protect against the desert heat while letting through some sunshine. " Read the rest here

Inventive Appearance: Beard World Championship

Well, our site has gone through alot of trauma over the past few weeks with constant problems with our servers and the ultimate failure of the complete loss of a server from our hosting company Midphase.

I need a drink, and since I can't have one (I won't bore you with the details), I decided I needed a little levity.

I decided that since the other bloggers at AmericanInventorSpot.com are all posting on different types of inventions and innvoations, I'd get into the act to and do my own special feature in inventive appearance.

People actually go out of their way to look funny, so I thought when the mood strikes me, I would share some of my discoveries of the inventive appearances - or ways people look wacky - with you.

The Beard World championship is a good source for those wacky in appearance.

You can see some more at Spiegel.de. Thanks to Pieces of Flair for finding this for us.

If you can suggest a better name for this category, please provide it in the comments here. I am just too exhausted from the trauma here to think of anything great.

10 Gadgets for the Filthy Rich

Well, when I saw this article on 10 Gadgets for the Filty Rich, it reminded me of all of Amused and Bemused's postings, but without the silliness. I thought the article had a great title and was interesting highlight of cool gadgets out there so I am sharing here with you. "Do you travel in private jets? Decorate your foyer with real Renoirs? Use the word "foyer"? Then there's no way you're going to get your gadget fix from anything you can get at Best Buy. You crave the most exclusive, the top of the line, the most unusual, and the most attention-grabbing technology, and price is no object. But there are expensive gadgets, and then there are expensive gadgets. We aren't talking PlayStation 3 expensive — we're talking gear so expensive you'll have your butlers pick them up in your gold-plated helicopter. [adsense:120x240:1:1]There are plenty of cool toys out there for you and your mansion, and we've compiled a list — the list — of the 10 best tech toys for the überdiscriminating connoisseur...click on the jump, enjoy the list, and to you millionaires out there: don't listen to those people laughing at you for wasting your money. They're just jealous." You can read the whole areticle at SciFi.com. Thanks to Microdot.be for the article.

10 Things To Make You Want to Puke

What is the weirdest thing you ever ate? I can eat almost everything as my big frame can attest, but there are limits to even my gluttony. I realize that foods that one eats and enjoys are culture based and the love of sushi, kimchi, and a rare steak are cultivated based on where you were raised, but some things are just plain disgusting (at least to my plebian brain).

Here are my choices for the 10 Weirdest Things That People Eat:

10. Squid Ink Flavoured Ice Cream

"Squid Ink Ice Cream -- If the idea of Squid Gut ice cream seems unpalatable, perhaps this Squid Ink flavor is more of a tentacled taste-bud tantalizer."See it here.

9. Purple Honey Flavoured Sausages

"Purplo's, The Honey Cocktail Sausage Made from beef and mutton which is mildly flavoured with spices and added honey, filled into a narrow 22mm Purple casing and cooked. To be served piping hot." See it here.

8. Musk Flavoured Lifesavers

See it here.

7. Chocolate Covered Cockroaches

"We don’t know about you, but the first thing we think when we catch a cockroach skittering across a kitchen floor? CHOCOLATE. In fact, there’s no grub worm, slug, or grasshopper we wouldn’t like to see smothered in the gooey good stuff. Now there’s some good-eatin’. How about you?" See it here!.

6. Crushed Pearls in Lillipop

"Made from, raw cane sugar, wild Madagascan vanilla essence, and ground natural pearls. Pearl is said to be an aphrodisiac so why not spice up your love live or give it to someone as a subtle hint."See it here.

5. Regurgitated by a Weasel Coffee Beans

"Made from coffee beans that are regurgitated by weasels. The beans are then harvested (picked up) to make this fine flavoured coffee."See it here.

4. King Snake Soaked Whiskey

"Real Californian King Snake whiskey is infused with a farm real farm raised Real Californian King snake, ginseng roots and seed pods. The whiskey is left for several months, which then imparts a unique flavour into the whiskey, it is quite an acquired taste. The story is that this is used in SE Asia as a very strong Aphrodisiac; and it also has many medical uses..." See it here. Also Scorpion and Snake wine.

3. Preserved Ant Eggs

"Weaver Ants eggs a highly prized delicacy in Thailand. Weaver ants produce their eggs only once a year during the cooler months December to January, during this time, the time consuming, and sometimes painful task, of collecting the eggs take place, they are then wrapped in bannana leaves and sold on local markets. These eggs are huge! Some pieces are egg-shaped; others are almost shaped like ants, they have a soft and jelly like texture. The eggs have a creamy and nutty flavour and are commonly served in spicy salads; they can also be served on toast and even taste great served on tortilla chips. Our bottles of preserved weaver ants eggs contain over 200 eggs, they need to be cooked before serving." See it here.

2. Crispy Roasted Larvlets

"Yes, worms for your snacking enjoyment in three mouth-watering flavors: BBQ, Cheddar Cheese. and Mexican Spice. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and dirt, experience the amazing taste sensation of roasted larvae.... just kidding about the dirt.... these are very clean larvae, except of the sprinkling of spices..."See it here.

1. Giant Water Bugs in a Rich Thai Red Curry Sauce

"These large and powerful insects are as adept at swimming as they are at flying. Eaten as a delicacy and found in Thai and Chinese markets, these insects bear the nickname toe-biters and are capable of inflicting a painful stab with their sharpened front beak. These bugs feed on other aquatic insects, tadpoles and even small fish, injecting them with a powerful toxin and digestive juice that allows the bug to suck up the contents at will. They are also known for their snorkel-like breathing tubes at the end of their abdomen. Eating instructions; Remove exoskeleton and then eat everything except the head and legs, try dipping them in your favourite sauce and enjoy!" See it here.

Ok, to be honest, I have not tried any of these items but just the idea of them makes me want to puke. Do you agree? What is the weirdest thing you ever ate? What is something you've been offered but refused to try?