6-in-1 Solar Robot Kit
June 19, 2009 - Written by Mike · Filed under Solar Gadgets, Toy Gadgets
What is it?
We will not pretend to understand the science of transforming lovely sunlight into useful electricity, but we do love it. This is especially true when it is combined with something fun like this 6 in 1 Solar Robot Kit.
As the name suggests this is a kit that allows you to build 6 different robots that are powered by that big, bright yellow, day moon (the sun). It comes with kiddie-proof instructions and if the sun is feeling a little shy, you can also run the eco friendly bots on a not so eco friendly, 50w halogen bulb. Educational toys really should not be this fun.
Continue reading »BarbeSkew II – Rotating BBQ
June 11, 2009 - Written by Mike · Filed under Barbeque Gadgets, Cooking Gadgets
What is it?
Since the dawn of time all men have cooked raw meat over an open flame and we cant explain why we love doing it. We have also, by default, all burnt our barbeque meat into unrecognisable charred lumps, with a pink gooey centre. This was all done in an effort to get that unbeatable flame grilled taste, which as you will know, is difficult to master… until now. Step up the BarbeSkew II (the new cheaper version of the original BarbeSkew, as seen on Dragons Den).
It is essentially a new take on a BBQ that constantly rotates your chosen meat, instead of leaving it static on a grill. It does not sound like a massive evolutionary step, but the best ideas are always the most simple. You lance your chosen cuts of meat (perhaps using your Big BBQ Sword aka the Barbeque Sword) onto the 7 small skewers then slip them into the groves provided over the charcoal. They then slowly rotate, allowing the meat to receive a 360 degree view of the fire below. You also get 2 cage skewers enabling you to still cook the BBQ classics, sausages and burgers that also benefit from the same 360 degree cooking experience.
Continue reading »Ice Shot Glasses
June 2, 2009 - Written by Mike · Filed under Drinking Gadgets, Entertainment Gadgets
What is it?
We love simple ideas especially when they make our life easier and more fun. This little piece of bar gadgetry is one of those ideas. The Ice Shot Glasses are essentially a kit that allows you to make 12 ice shot glasses at once. The process involved is very complicated as it involves difficult tasks like filling the trays, placing the caps on and then putting them in your freezer. It odiously comes with instructions (just in case a woman has a go) JOKING!… (even with instructions it would be hard work for them) Yes we are all sexist pigs, but in a good way. 
The kit is hand wash only and the glasses, once frozen, hold approximately 30ml of booze.
Drink Shots Gun
May 27, 2009 - Written by Mike · Filed under Drinking Gadgets, Entertainment Gadgets
What is it?
The Shots Gun has taken the term “fancy a shot” to it’s literal limit. It is a novelty bottle stop that allows you to dispense booze in a highly entertaining manner. The shots gun works with all standard necked bottles and works on pumped pressure rather than triggered pressure. This means you can get a good steady flow of alcohol delivered to your tumbler. While not in use there is a small holster attached to the side of the stopper allowing you to neatly store your new weapon while allowing it to be easy to get at in case you get an itchy trigger fingerer.
Samsung LED TV (Series 6 & 7)
May 20, 2009 - Written by Mike · Filed under Entertainment Gadgets
What is it?
It’s a TV! “That’s not a gadget” we hear you sigh, but when a TV is as clever as this Samsung LED TV, it most definitely is. At first glance we were taken by its stylish look. A large screen set into a glass look piano black frame always looks the part and when you put that on a crystal necked stand, it really is quite striking. But that aint new.
Once turned on the picture quality is most definitely High Def and runs at 100mhz, to help reduce that edge blur effect you get in big fast action sequences. But again, nothing new. It is pretty new and mighty impressive when you consider the screen itself is only 1.2” thick! Now things are starting to look up. On closer inspection we found out that this stunning beast also has a multitude of connection possibilities. These stack up to an impressive 4 x HDMI ports, 2 x USB ports, a DTV Tuner, wireless LAN and internet TV. Yup, we did say wireless Lan and internet TV. It comes in a 40”, 46” or a 55 and has been designed as a single moulded piece of tech (like the ipod). Oh, and apparently its “green” and has a much smaller “footprint” than other tellies.
Continue reading »Kelvin.23 Multi-Tool
May 17, 2009 - Written by Mike · Filed under Tool Gadgets
What is it?
The very informatively titled Kelvin.23 is actually a pocket sized multi tool. “Nothing new, the Swiss and Leatherman have been doing this for year” we thought, but we looked a little closer. To start it has a flip out, magnetised screwdriver arm with 16 essential CRV screw bits.
Along side this it has a 2m/6ft tape measure, hammer surface (used for hammering stuff), spirit level and a Death Ray!… ok, maybe we embellished the last one but it does have an LED torch that looks a little death ray’ish. All this when it weighs in at a slight 300g and measures a pocket pleasing 13.5x4x5cm is quite impressive.
Continue reading »Lightsaber Umbrella (Star Wars)
May 13, 2009 - Written by Mike · Filed under Outdoor Gadgets, Toy Gadgets
What is it?
Being the astute persons that you are, you can probably guess that this is an umbrella. But this is like no other umbrella we have ever seen before, because this is a “Lightsaber Umbrella”.
Rubik’s Cube Salt And Pepper Shakers
April 28, 2009 - Written by Mike · Filed under Cooking Gadgets, Kitchen Gadgets
What is it?
This is the best novelty salt and pepper shakers we have ever seen (not that we spend hours looking for them though). Based on the eighties classic icon, the Rubik’s Cube, this pair of table condiments will make anyone over the age of 15 smile. Measuring in at 5.7 cm2 they are the same size as the original making them not imposing enough to be impractical. The stylish plastic outer casing houses a durable ceramic grinder like in most mills.
GFM Did Gadget Show Live
April 22, 2009 - Written by Mike · Filed under Gadget News
Its always nice to be able to say “Been there, done that“. Having just got back from the Trade Fair 2009, oops I mean the Gadget Show Live 2009 we thought it was best to let you know our opinions. We don’t really like being negative so we have tried to be as nice as possible:
The Birmingham NEC is always good an clean with ample parking and a pleasant walk to the venues. The entrance hall was light and airy, the toilets were clean(ish) and the staff were pleasant. Well that concludes our review of the Gadget Show Live 2009, only joking, it was not that bad. The queue to get in did stretch further than any eye can see (round a corner) and even though it was a large hall, it was packed. At first glance it looked good, lots of big named stalls and plenty of buzz. On closer inspection it was a lot of trade stands trying to sell some main-stream tosh. There were some good stalls with new gadgets hidden within the mass, so we had a chat to them and should hopefully be bringing you some good reviews soon.
Continue reading »Freeline Skates
April 18, 2009 - Written by Mike · Filed under Sports Gadgets
What is it?
Freeline Skates are a mad mash of skateboarding and rollerblading resulting in a pair of lightweight aluminium skates measuring in at a tiny 19 x 18 x 18cm. No straps necessary (like skateboarding) as your feet remain on the scates using gravity and friction. This results in a highly manoeuvrable experience especially when rocketing down hill.
