Philips’ new Prestigo SR-M8015 remote control “tablet”

 

Have you ever wanted to control things? Lots of things? How about everything? If you’ve been answering yes while psychotically nodding your head and smiling, you may like to know about the Philips Prestigo SR-M8015, the remote control with the crappy name and totally out-of-control footprint. The new addition to the company’s Prestigo line is actually a large “tablet” remote, with a plethora of buttons at your two-handed disposal (including access to 15 separate devices), a color LCD screen in the center, and the totally antiquated / sexist “his and hers” option — just in case you can’t agree on any presets with your spouse / lover / good “buddy.” Apparently the finish will go from drab, black plastic, to ultra-sexy chrome with “hot-stamped” detailing. No word on price or availability, but the SR-M8015 is expected in the next few months for around $150.

Sony’s PRS-505 ebook reader leaks out

Given the many opportunities Sony’s had to demo new gear in the past month, you’d think we’d have seen this earlier, but it looks like the company’s latest ebook reader, the PRS-505, will be making its grand debut on the website of Chicago’s own Abt Electronics. The update to the original Sony Reader will come in either silver or blue, feature a slightly redesigned layout, twice the internal memory, and may potentially rock what seems like an updated display. No word on any other changes, but it looks like the price is the same at $299.

Rip Roar Creation Station

Like many kids my siblings and I made a lot of home movies when we were younger. I remember one time in particular when we set the video camera to a high shutter speed, filled the living room with every lamp we could find in the house and filmed Hot Wheels cars crashing into each other. It was definitely crude but watching the slow motion replays of the crashes was remarkably entertaining. Of course those ’special effects’ were pretty crude when compared to the home video technology today’s kids have at their disposal.

The Rip Roar Creation Station for example gives any kid with a drop of imagination the ability to shoot their own green screen footage and then easily replace the backgrounds with included software. The camera is apparently ‘full-rez’ capable which I assume means at least 640×480 and has a built-in LED light which to be honest is probably pretty useless. The kit also includes 2 fabric green screens, a tripod and the aforementioned software that also has basic editing and soundtrack functions. As someone who does this kind of stuff for a living I’m skeptical as to how great the results look but if I was a kid trying this type of thing for the first time I’d probably be thrilled.

The Rip Roar Creation Station will be available from Amazon near the end of September for $129.99.

Brian the Brain

This is a great idea if you’ve got kids who get bored doing their homework. It’s also a great parent aide (particularly if you get asked those tricky questions like “how high is the sky?” or “when was Cleopatra born?”, or “how do you spell ‘prestidigitation’?”) As Brian has stored within his animatronic brain The Concise Encyclopedia from Britannica®, a dictionary and also a world history timeline, you should be able to ask him virtually anything and he should know.

The kids will think Brian the Brain is such a cool addition to their room and can also act as their own personal filo-fax, keeping all their important telephone numbers and dialing them on their voice command (when he’s plugged into the phone socket).

Brian will also interact with his owner by playing word, memory and trivia games. He will also ask you questions so he can get to know you and have conversations with you, about what you like and dislike. Brian also likes telling jokes (so it’s not all work, work, work!)

Brian the Brain has a digital clock, MP3 player socket, pull out keyboard, a calendar to record those important dates (like how many days until your birthday/Christmas/School Disco) and integrated speakers so you can listen to your favorite tracks whilst you’ve got your head in the books.

As it’s now a new school year (and homework will probably be getting that little bit more difficult), perhaps you can persuade your parents that Brian is an absolutely essential requirement – or they’ll have to brush up on their knowledge of Tolund Man and poets of the First World War!

Ipod Fashion

This pair of Lederhosen, on display at IFA 2007, comes with a set of controls for your iPod. Made by all-weather wear German company Lodenfrey, these lederhosen will let you listen to music with a distinct lack of style. Made of high quality layered suede, the controls are unobtrusively located down the left side of the pants and the MP3 player is integrated into the pants.

Lodenfrey is apparently the leader in the design and production of lederhosen and other pieces of high quality traditional garb. The company also seemingly refuses to acknowledge the existence of these devastatingly ethnic pants on their home site, therefore further purchasing information is scant.

Tiny remote ready for secret missions

 

This little universal remote is the newest (secret) weapon in the Ninja’s arsenal and we assure you in the right hands it can be used to quickly assassinate dangerously annoying TV shows. Simply point the Ninja Remote at the intended target (a television set) and press the mute button for a few seconds – once the TV mutes the remote is now ready to assume full control of its victim. Innocent bystanders will be frozen with fear (or very animated with anger) as the volume and channel change magically in front of their eyes, seemingly controlled by some mysterious force. The Ninja Remote’s powers will work on a wide variety of televisions (Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Toshiba, Sanyo, Aiwa, Mitsubishi, Philips, JVC, Sharp, etc) and its small size will safeguard you against discovery.

• Tiny Universal remote, easy to operate
• Control volume, channel, mute, off/on
• Takes one CR2032 battery (included)
• Will work on most European TVs
• Keychain attachment
• Dimensions: 2.3″ x 1.4″ x .25″ (5.8 x 3.6 x .6 cm)