CO2 Dress Senses Pollution, Owns the Runway

The pretty frock in he picture is more than the latest piece of haute couture. Thanks to the efforts of Forster Rohner, Alexandra Institute, diffus.dk, and The Danish Design School this dress is not only fashion-forward it's also eco-friendy.

The LEDs embroidered into the dress actually show the levels of CO2 in the room. The dress monitors CO2 levels and transmits the information to the LEDs which flicker in response to the data. I wonder if the decision to make the dress a charcoal gray a purposeful one made by the collaborators to symbolize our declining air quality. At any rate, this is another example of how technology and fashion can come together to create something that's beautiful and functional both on and off the catwalk.

Via Fashioning Tech

iPhone App Store pulls 1000+ apps in fake 5-star review scandal

The iPhone app developer Molinker has been accused of faking reviews for a number of its 1000+ iPhone apps, and Apple has pulled all of Molinker's apps--nearly 1% of all iPhone apps--from the App Store, according to PC World.

Brennon Slattery, who wrote the PC World report, speculates that Molinker's apps aren't the only ones with bogus 5-star reviews. Slattery urges Apple--and its App Store customers--to be more diligent in exposing fraudulent reviews.

Greenhouse's New Camera Puts Ladies First

Japanese electronics company Greenhouse recently unveiled a camcorder designed with the ladies in mind. The GHV-DV30HDLXW/P comes with 128MB of internal memory that can be expanded to 32GB with a SD/SDHC memory card. It also features ports for miniHDMI and USB. The camera also has a 3-inch TFT LCD screen and can record video at 30fps in 1,280×720 resolution.

The device is currently a Japan only product, but if you're interested in importing one, it's selling for $190. As a result of the collaboration between Greenhouse and fashion brand GAUDI (ah, so many jokes, so little time) the camera is available in pink and white. A matching bag comes with the camera to complete the ensemble.

I'm personally not a fan of pink tech on principle, but I wouldn't mind owning the white version. What are your thoughts on these cameras and pink tech?

Via CrunchGear

Smart Umbrella Tells the Weather

Ever missed the weather report and got caught in a torrential downpour? With this handy gadget you'll never have to worry about the rain again. The Ambient Umbrella is an intelligent accessory from Ambient Devices. A series of flashes in the handle indicates whether it's preparing to rain or snow and whether it will be a light drizzle or a heavy thunderstorm.

The umbrella receives local updates from Accuweather.com. Not sure how the umbrella itself will hold up in rough weather. The website says that it was constructed with a "top-quality "gust-buster" umbrella canopy design." If you're interested in owning a smart umbrella, you can pick one up for $129.

Via Technabob

Tiny LaCie Rikiki Lives up to Its Name

LaCie's newest hard drive is tiny, cute, and functional just how I like it. At 4.3 x 2.9 x .5 in.the LaCie Rikiki portable hard drive is one of the smallest hard drives around. The name Rikiki is French for tiny. The diminutive drive is big on storage space however, with storage capabilities starting out at 250GB and maxing out at 640GB. Being that this is a newly released product, I wouldn't be surprised to see terabyte versions of the Rikiki in upcoming months.

The USB 2.0 device is decked out in brushed aluminum and has a transfer speed of 60MB/s. According to the website, the included USB Boost software enhances speed and performance up to 33%. Unfortunately, this is software is a Windows-only deal. Other software includes the LaCie Backup Assistant and the LaCie Setup Assistant.

The Windows and Mac-friendly Rikiki is on sale on LaCie's site starting at $74.99 for the 250GB version, $109.99 for 500GB, and $149.99 for 640GB. I wonder if they're throwing in that cute little monkey with the deal?

Are you--or someone you care about--addicted to the Internet?

Rehab is now available for addiction to social networking and online gaming. For only $14,500, Internet addicts can spend 45 days kicking the habit at the first US Internet addiction rehab center.

If you don't happen to have $14,500 handy to help you swear off Facebook and/or World of Warcraft permanently, maybe you could just move to an obscure corner of the US where wi-fi has not yet arrived.

The new Internet addiction rehab center is located in aptly named Fall City, Washington, oddly close to headquarters for one of the Internet's chief pushers, Microsoft. Still, the rehab center is a start at closing the yawning Internet addiction rehab gap with China, which is said to have declared Internet addiction its number one health problem and opened 400 Internet addiction rehab centers to combat it.

The sole US rehab center's founders claim that as many as one in 10 of us is an Internet addict. I'm wondering if that isn't an underestimate. If you consult a list of Signs and Symptoms of Internet/Gaming Addiction, you'll see that "Being dishonest with others" is one of them. Since nearly everybody lies to somebody sometime about something, does that mean nearly everybody is an Internet addict?

Why won't new technologies translate?

Why do personal technologies that take off in Asia fail in the US? One reason may be commuting differences.

People in both locales have long commutes. But Asians tend to do their commuting via public transport. That's conducive to silent button-pushing and steady focus on learning the complexities of, say, a new mobile phone.

In the US, folks stick doggedly to car commutes. In a car, steady yakking may be OK. But visual distractions and concentration on something other than traffic is dangerous. Hence all the recent alarm over texting while driving.

Which means, according to Bill Moggridge, founder of the design consulting firm IDEO, that even the spiffiest new technology may not translate.

Thanks to Erica Naone, blogging at EmTech09.

Nikon Pro Battery Grip cranks up your Nikon DSLR like a determined soldier

Consider yourself lucky if you own a Nikon D200 DSLR. Atleast on one count - more battery power.

This clever Nikon Battery Grip can attach itself to your camera and give you the much needed juice - it holds within 6 AA batteries or two EN-EL3E Li-ion batteries, which means double shooting time. There is also provision for improved vertical shooting as the grip provides functions for additional shutter release, main dial, sub-main dial, AE lock/FE lock.

And as always there is the price to consider. The grip costs around $170, and can be a worthy investment if you are a serious photographer. Well, we assume you would be, with the DSLR and all.

Via The Red Ferret.

Picnic by Juicy Couture

Juicy Couture new product is putting a fresh coat of paint on the old picnic theme. Available for pre-order, the Staycation Kit has everything you need to have a fun day at the park. The kit comes in a logo-themed leather tote bag that contains two mp3 speakers. There's also cutlery, dishes, and tumblers which are diswasher safe. There's even a blanket and cloth napkins that are machine washable.

The speaker dimensions are 12"H x 13"W x 6"D. There's no word on the wattage, so the sound quality is anyone's guess. The kit is available for $248. Just like the tagline says it's "everything you need to take your beau or bestie out for a picnic."

Via UberGizmo

PS3 Goes "Slim", Annunces Price Drop

Since the start of the next-gen wars, Sony has taken a consistent trouncing from Nintendo and Microsoft, sinking wistfully sinking into the mire of third best selling console. But from the announcements made at GamesCom in Germany, It's seems that Sony isn't ready to throw i the towel, in fact it looks they're ready to come out swinging this holiday season.

Sony just unveiled a smaller, sexier PlayStation 3 dubbed the PS3 slim. The Slim cuts the fat in some substantial ways. It's 36% lighter, 32% smaller and uses 34% less power than the standard PS3. But where it loss the extra weight it gained some serious muscle in the form of a 120 HDD. For a mere $300, gamers can get their hands on the Slim on September 1st, with stores like K-Mart and Sears.

In anticipation of the new arrival, Sony has dropped the prices on all existing PS3, but it seems kind of crazy to shell out $300 on a 80GB unit when you have a better version retailing at the same price in a few weeks. The question still remains, will this be enough to turn Sony's fortune around?

Harman Kardon GLA-55 speakers will leave you cold and broke

Okay, now that the idea of putting up an iceberg on the mantle was your battle won, all you need is to win another one and convince your family to loan you one grand. After which, you can remain assured that the Harman Kardon GLA-55 speakers can grace that coveted spot you fought so hard for.

Though the only observable uniqueness of the GLA-55 seems to be the artistic cut-glass motif which gives the appearance of the speakers being embedded in ice sculpture, Harman Kardon claims that they deliver "stunning sound" as well. That too minus subwoofer, and "numerous proprietary technologies to provide the highest audio quality". Apparently, the Atlas AL woofers and CMMD tweeters that the speakers are built on, deliver a great bass response and accurate high frequencies. Add to that DSP processing and touch-sensitive volume controls, and you just heard of the most expensive speakers ever. Instinct must be given its due while it still struggles to get you away from this $999.99 eye candy.

Via Coolest Gadgets.

Casio Celebrates Hello Kitty's 35th Anniversary

Hello Kitty, the fictional character that adorns everything from purses to laptops is beloved around the world. The iconic kitty is turning 35 and to celebrate, Casio is unveiling this limited edition Hello Kitty Casio EX-Z90 digital camera.

The camera is available in two versions of pink. The area surrounding the lens is decked out in Swarovski crystals and of course features the face of Kitty and her trademark bow. Spec-wise, this is a a solid camera. It has 12.1 megapixels and 3x optical zoom. There's also intelligent Auto Focus that can detect any subject and automatically adjust exposure and focus. In addition, the Dynamic Photo function has been tweaked making it both easier and faster to create animated greeting cards or any other digital creations.

Unfortunately, this camera is a Korea exclusive, so you'll have to find an import site. But that shouldn't be too big of a hurdle for Hello Kitty fans.The price tag, however, might be a little much to swallow. Expect to pay $500 to satisfy your Hello Kitty lust.

Via Aving.net

New Site Promises to Help in Search for Perfect Gadget

The holidays are coming up and you're eager to find the perfect gadget as a gift to someone special or yourself. The problem is with all the different brand names, specifications, price differences, and hype, how do you find the right product for the job? Let's face it, tech can be expensive and there's nothing worse than shelling out hundreds of dollars on the a piece of equipment that you either don't know how to use or worse is the absolute wrong product for the job.

There's a new search engine that can make the decision-making process a little easier. Measy is a website that helps the not-so-tech savvy locate the correct gizmo. The site is pretty simple to use. Choose the type of gadget you're shopping for (smartphone, digital camera, etc.) and you're given a quick quiz that narrows down your choices. If you're looking for a smartphone, you'll be asked about budget, texting, and carrier and their level of importance.Through the process of elimination, Measy picks the best device based on your answers.

The site displays general specs and features of each product. There are also links to reviews from reputable tech sites to help bolster the choice and give you a little reassurance so when you go into the store you know exactly what you want. That way you won't part with more money than necessary because a smarmy salesperson sold you more gadget than you actually need.

Measy is currently in beta, so the amount of products to choose from in some categories is a little small, but hopefully with a little more time and elbow grease, the site can be a go-to resource when shopping for tech.

Via Mobile Crunch

LED Kimono Takes the Stage

There's something about LEDs and clothing that really gets me, provided it's done well. You won't catch me within 100 feet of one of those cheesy light-up holiday sweaters, especially those garish Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer deals. This kimono however, has class and sophistication that negates the gimmicky feel of the LED lighting.

The kimono was created by performing artist/composer Miya Masaoka. The garment's sleeve has 444 LED that are individually controlled. The lights respond primarily to sound and the movement of the wearer. Future iterations of the kimono will allow it to function more as a smart garment with the ability to improvise, listen, and react to its environment.

It looks a little bulky with the lights on, but once the lights are dimmed, this piece of performance art becomes a fluid showcase of captivating light and movement.

Via FashioningTech

HTC Tattoo does another Android, allows for custom tattooing

If the HTC Hero made you happy, just hang on until you see its hotstepper sibling - the HTC Tattoo. The Tattoo has just been announced and should we say, the specs are quite impressive too.

This 2.8-inch touchscreen device is pretty compact (106 x 55.2 x 14-mm / 113 grams) inspite of the features it carries. So count in a 528MHz Qualcomm MSM7225 processor, 512MB ROM, 256MB RAM, a 3.2MP autofocus camera, 3.5-mm headset jack, microSD slot, internal GPS, 900/2100MHz HSPA/UMTS and quad-band GSM/EDGE, 802.11b/g WiFi, digital compass, accelerometer, and Bluetooth 2.0. Yes, you will not miss the trademark Sense UI experience as HTC has extended it to this device as well. The covers are apparently fully customizable - and hence the device flaunts the name "Tattoo".

While the pricing is still under the wraps like a mystery tattoo in the making, the HTC Tattoo is expected to hit European shores this October, and then spread to the other markets in the months following.

Via Engadget.

Revo heritage iPod/iPhone dock is also a radio with retro design

With docks floating dime-a-dozen around the iPod/iPhone accessory market, why would you consider another one just now? Well, consider what the Revo Heritage iPod dock propositions enticingly - handcrafted American Walnut body with the switches and inlay custom-manufactured for a complete 60's look and feel. Well, well.

And we've just begun. Hidden inside the lovely retro facade is all of cutting-edge technology - DAB, DAB+, FM and Wi-Fi internet radio, DLNA UPnP streaming, plus docking for your iPhone or iPod (all models). The minimalistic design packs in a ‘secret-until-lit’ graphical OLED screen, with a high-end 7W amplifier, 3-inch neodymium speaker driver, and a remote control. A USB port allows connection to other MP3 players or memory sticks with MP3s and even the videos on your iPod can be output to the OLED display via a video-out socket. Included with this awesome package is a 30-day trial package from online music service Last.fm, which gives you access to its database with more than 5 million tracks and is capable of generating a unique playlist each time you access it.

The Revo is due for an early November UK launch from John Lewis at a totally upmarket price of £229.95 (around USD $375).

Via SlashGear.

New Samsung Camera Has 14.2 Megapixels, Wi-Fi Capability

I'm chomping at the bit for the new year to arrive. New beginnings, renewed focus, and most of all shiny, new tech. According to Boy Genius Report, Samsung is bringing the new year in a grand fashion with the unveiling of their latest camera. The Samsung ST5500 is a vision of beauty in silver, but it's what's under the hood that will have camera geeks grinning from ear to ear.

ST5500 features include 14.2. megapixel sensor, 7X optical zoom, and Wi-Fi capability so you can upload pics almost instantaneously. There's also 3.5-inch LCD touchscreen, 100MB internal memory, and a microSD slot. The camera also takes video in 1280 x 720 resolution at 30 fps.

We're still waiting for a press release or announcement from Samsung, so no word on pricing and availability as of yet. The only piece of information is that it's set to debut sometime during Q1.

All about diets, weight control, and the glycemic index

A lot of what you need to know about the glycemic index is here. Like what IS the glycemic index, anyway? (Short answer: a system of ranking foods according to how much they raise blood sugar.) Why is the glycemic index controversial? Can eating low glycemic-index foods really help prevent diabetes and colon cancer and heart disease? And control my weight?

But not quite everything you need to know about the glycemic index is in that one blog post. Among other things, you need an actual glycemic index that lists foods according to how much they raise your blood sugar. I couldn't find a really complete glycemic index, and maybe there is no such thing. But Diabetes.net has a good one here. (Scroll down past the book-selling stuff.)

And Wikipedia has a brief table summarizing categories of high. medium. and low glycemic-index foods. Keep in mind, though, that you can't always easily estimate the glycemic index of a food. Those bagels up there are actually high glycemic-index items.

As with any topic related to diets, almost any search engine will garner you a ton of stuff. There's an enormous amount of detail about the glycemic index out there, much of it useful. But there is also an enormous amount of salesmanship, so beware.

Green tech: How to cut the cost of solar equipment

Solar power. Solar heating. Solar lighting. Sure, you'd like to fuel your life for free with help from the everlasting sun. Trouble is, it's not really free.

The equipment that can turn sunshine into a warm, well-lit life costs the earth. You can easily spend $20,000 or more for rooftop solar panels, for example.

But there's hope. Alternative financing of solar has begun in the US, in a small way. For example, a few thousand homeowners is California, Arizona, and Oregon are reducing their upfront costs by leasing solar equipment--and paying an estimated 15% less for electricity, equipment included. And the federal government has an assortment of programs that underwrite homeowners' solar projects.

Read all about these and other possibilities for reducing the cost of solar equipment at E, the environmental magazine.

Serio glass loudspeakers from Waterfall Audio can blend into a bookshelf or a wall

Good-looking, minimalist speakers made exclusively from glass and aluminium, and carrying versatile placement options - summarizes the latest Serio speakers released by Waterfall Audio.

Waterfall quotes a 150Watt peak power, with 30-80Watts recommended amplifier for the 2.25 Lbs (each) Serio speakers which can apparently deliver exceptional sound quality thanks to their patented "Acoustic Damping Tube" system.The speakers are compatible with both Hi-Fi and AV applications and use a patented heat dissipation technique which can effectively withstand and handle high power levels - thereby giving the option to place the speakers even within the frugal space granted on your bookshelf. But ofcourse, other placement options are available too - hang them on a wall, or just place them on a convenient stand and they are good to go.

All said, figure if you can really afford the £179 (around $300) price tag that each unit carries. Then, take your pick from plain black, white and silver or the fashionistas in orange and green (all with matching grills).

Via Shiny Shiny.

How to find a Christmas tree farm near you? Google Maps

Another innovative use for Google Maps: how to find a Christmas tree farm near you. Just plug "Christmas tree farms" plus your Zip code into the Google Maps search box, and there they are. Round up the kids, climb into the SUV or pickup, and get chopping.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches, but where art thou?

Now you know.

Thanks for the seasonal tip to Wendy Boswell, About.com's Queen of Search.

Kyle Bean shows the evolution of mobile phones in Russian Doll style

If you agree with the line of thinking that a picture can replace a thousand words, you would surely agree with the extension - that a model can replace a zillion pictures. So assuming that it would be boring to look at a chart, however well-done, to visualize the evolution of a device, give your eyes a treat by looking at this creation by UK-based designer Kyle Bean to demonstrate the evolution of the mobile phone.

The design captures the evolution of the mobile phone in Russian Babushka doll style - starting from the earliest Motorola DynaTAC 8000X to the current Apple iPhone. A lesson or two for schools to make history more interesting.

Via Design Milk.

FujiFilm Takes Some Fine Pix

For the photo fanatic that wants a camera as eye-catching as their pics, Fujifilm presents the FinePix Z35 digital camera. This little beauty is following the "C's" -- "cute, curvy, and compact." The FinePix, the latest release in the popular Z series of cameras is slim. How slim? The 23.9 mm thick device is thin enough to slide comfortably into your jean pocket and is the perfect party cam -- able to fit into the smallest of purses to catch those impromptu moments that life can throw at you.

The Z35 has 10 megapixel with a 3x optical zoom which is optimal for taking crisp, clear shots. it also has a 2.5-inch LCD screen perfect for checking out your shots before and after you snap the photo. In order to ensure that perfect shot, the z35 also has Face Detection and the six scene SR AUTO feature. The automatic scene recognition can detect portrait, night protrait, and landscape just to name a few. Shutterbugs can also trim and crop pics as they please and create slideshows

The Complete Guide to Google Wave, information that really wants to be free

What is Google Wave? The latest from Google Labs, for now available only as a limited-distribution preview, Google Wave is---what? The ultimate collaboration tool? Really superior e-mail? The most ambitious (and confusing) web application ever created? These things and more, according to The Complete Guide to Google Wave.

The Guide itself is a free, ever-changing experiment in publishing that seeks to explain one of the most elaborate and bewildering Google inventions of all. Sample:

"Google Wave treats an email conversation with multiple recipients and senders as a document with multiple editors and writers. If you can make the conversations-as-documents and documents-as-conversations leap along with Wave, the system makes 100% more sense. "

The Guide is written by Gina Trapani with Adam Pash, both of Lifehacker fame. And it's also written by you, if you care to join.

The online version of the Guide will remain free and be updated continuously. The Guide will also be available eventually as a DRM-free PDF and an independently published softcover print book, due out early next year. (These will presumably not be free, but no details about specifics yet.)

GE throws a peek at VScan, the ultra-futuristic portable ultrasound

How do we say wow in a million different languages? Well, we won't attempt that humongous task but instead spend some precious time staring at this little gem from GE - VScan - the portable clamshell ultrasound machine unveiled at the Web 2.0 summit by the big horse himself, General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt.

The VScan is so small that had we caught sight of it on TV, we would give it the same seriousness as we do Teleportation today. But it is real, and functional - the little gadget is aimed at doctors who could use it locally to generate quick scans, rather than burden their patients with the waiting period required to get a scan from a ultrasound specialist's office. Immelt indicated that the device will be "very digitally capable" with the ability to save images, but without the Wi-Fi connectivity required to wirelessly transmit ultrasound images. The VScan will be available next year, and you bet we are keeping our eyes & ears open for any sign.

Via Pocket-lint.

LoJack for Your Lingerie

"Find Me If You Can" is the name of the latest line of lingerie at lingerie.com. The name, meant to be cute, kind of loses its meaning once you discover the skimpy bits of cloth meant to get pulses racing has a GPS tracker sewn-in to the ensemble.

Designed by Lucia Lorio, the sexy outfit is comprised of a lace bodice, bikini-cut panties, and a huge pacemaker-like contraption included on the bodice. The purpose of the lingerie is to make the wearer feel safe. (Um, huh?) The GPS has a login and password for the wearer's partner so they can track the object of their desires every move on the internet.

I guess I get it. It can be sexy to have that always being watched feeling...not! Personally this is a little too close to cyberstalking for my taste. Even though the woman has the choice to turn the GPS on and off as she please, I still can hear the delighted sighs of jealous partners everywhere.

Amazingly the sexy tracking device has been selling in Sao Paulo, Brazil for $1200. The more advanced GPS model costs $1650. No word if this little get-up will make it to the states, but I hope not.

Via Gizmodo, GizmoWatch

Ideeli's Big Deal

Finding a good sample sale is has to be like hunting prey in the wild. It's illusive, secretive, and gone in a flash. You have to keep your ear to the ground and be willing to hit the pavement at a moment's notice, but once you've found one and saved bundles on that designer purchase, you leave feeling like a mighty lioness ruler of all she surveys. Okay i might be taking it a little far, but there's something crazy thrilling about sample sales.

Online shopping community ideeli, packages that excite and sends it to your inbox daily. The online sample sale site has been up and running since 2007, hawking designer wares in limited-time sales to fiscally-minded fashionistas. A members-only site, you have to receive an invite to play in this arena of shopping champions. And while it may seem counterproductive to have a closed community of shoppers, it seems to be paying off. According to TechCrunch, ideeli has just raised 20 million in funding to keep their members decked out in the exclusive fashions we love so well.

In addition to the big payday, ideeli has also reached the million member mark. Kudos, to ideeli and sites like it that realize that just because we're living in a recession doesn't mean wie have to dress like it.Id

LED flashing umbrella

I am really not a big fan of umbrellas, they always seem to be in the way, keep one hand constantly occupied and if they are not small and vulnerable to the weakest of winds, I forget them everywhere. For me to use an umbrella it really has to rain pretty hard, the kind of heavy rain you can’t fence off with good waterproof outwear clothing.
This LED flashing umbrella on the other hand, would almost make me wish for a rainy day, because it would make me look like Luke Skywalker and for me that would be a cool thing.

This “Lightsaber-umbrella is available at gadget.brando for $44,- in five different colors. The LEDs are placed inside the umbrella tube and have four different light modes: dim light, light, flashing light and dim flashing light.

Wardrobe Made Simple by Shmotter.com

Okay, it's almost time to start switching from our fall gear into our winter wear. Are you wondering whether those slouchy boots clash with that bag or if you can get away with wearing leggings under that dress? Before you shell out a small fortune making potential fashion faux pas, mayhaps you should pay a visit to Shmotter.com.

A new web startup, Shmotter is your own personal lookbook. Populated with clothes and accessories from a large selection of retailers, the site allows fashion mavens to put a look together without the hassle of running from store to store like a mad woman. Just select the piece of clothing or fashion accoutrement you want to sort through using the available tab to select from tops, dresses, bags, etc.

When you've find the piece you're looking for simply drag it over to the left side of the screen to add to part of your look and rinse, wash, and repeat until you've created your look. And since sometimes you really need a second opinion, you can save your outfit to your profile and have the Shmotter community vote on your wardrobe to determine whether it's a fashion hit or miss. (The outfit that you're viewing in the pic is one I put together. I call it Dark and Stormy. Thoughts?)

Ammonia-free hair coloring is here

Here comes a "revolution" in hair coloring, according to scientists. That would be scientists at L’Oréal, who say they have found a way to replace stinky ammonia with a new, odorless, substitute.

You are probably dying to know that ammonia has been a part of hair coloring since L’Oréal's founder invented it a century ago this year. The new dye is called INOA for Innovation No Ammonia, which seems sensible. L’Oréal claims that, in addition to being free of ammonia smell, INOA feels more like a thick skin cream than regular hair coloring products.

INOA is already used in salons in Europe. It will be available at salons in the US and Canada early next year and eventually in home hair dye, the company says.

Find True Love with an App

For those of us in the hunt for that special someone, being thorough is important, especially when it comes to dating. They say dating is supposed to be a fun experience, but for a lot of us, it's an interview process where one wrong answer can send a potential Mr. or Ms. Right crashing and burning into the reject pile. Now there's an app, to alleviate a little bit of the pressure.

The app is named iRateMyDate and its exactly what it sounds like, a way for daters to keep track of a date and track various qualities the user is looking for in a potential mate. According to the press release, the the iPhone-exclusive app's goal is to answer the question "Is my date worth having my legs waxed" or "Was she worth missing the game?"

Developed by Yollswa, the app allows you to do side by side comparisons of potential mates, for those of us lucky enough to have that many candidates to choose from. You can choose up to 20 of must-have or important traits that "The One" should have and rate them. You can upload their photos, add their horoscope and take notes on the date, as well as schedule the next date -- if there will actually be a next date.

iPhone Wall Dock is minimalistc, fits right into power socket

Forget those complicated iPhone docks and marvel at this totally amazing invention - the iPhone Wall Dock, which is pretty simply, a dock that neatly plugs into your existing power socket on the wall, and charges your iPhone in the most unobtrusive manner ever. And that also means no cable clutter, and faster charging because of its higher power output compared to other charging units. The Wall Dock also rotates around a pivot to hide the connector when not in use and provides a cushioned top to secure your iPhone or iPod when charging. Totally worth the $24.99 that it quotes.

Via Gadget Lab.

Jabra STONE is Stone Cold Pretty

The Jabra STONE Bluetooth headset is one rock you won't want to toss willy-nilly at glass houses or at some offending person. Jabra's newest cell phone accessory combines great tech with ergonomically sound design and smoking good looks. The headset has approximately eight hours of talk time and thanks to the STONE's unique shape, the time will seem to fly by. Designed for the right ear, the STONE comfortably wraps behind your ear eliminating face obstruction caused by the usual bulky Bluetooth headset. When it's not curled on your ear, it fits snugly into its charger giving off the appearance of a smooth black stone.

Feature-wise, Jabra's outfitted the STONE with Noise Blackout Extreme, an advanced noise-cancelling technology. Noise Blackout Extreme blocks out ambient noise while the dual microphones ensure you don't have to shout to get your point across which is good when you're in a crowded area. In addition, users can answer or reject calls, redial the last number called and place calls on hold via the near invisible controls on the front of the headset. STONE can also be used in conjunction with up to two Bluetooth compatible devices.

The Jabra STONE headset will be exclusively available through AT&T on November 8th for $129, It's a little pricey, but if the sound quality is anywhere near the device's stunning looks, it will be a worthwhile purchase. If you're concerned about possible hardware compatibility issues, go to Jabra's site and check out the compatibility box. If your phone is a match, you'll get a "Yes, it will work" message with a happy face.

Via eCoustics

Party Hard, Stay Safe Thanks to Lip Gloss

What's the tantamount rule for a girl's night out on the town? Never leave your drink unattended. For too long, women have been the victims of date rape by way of dosing drinks. It only takes seconds to transform your fun, fruity cocktail into a noxious concoction ala Snow White.

Britain-based cosmetics firm 2 Love My Lips is fighting back with their new line of lip gloss. Called "2LoveMy", this line of glosses comes with a drug testing kit. If you sip your drink and it tastes off or if you just don't trust the skeevy guy in the corner that insisted that it's on him, simply dip your fingers into the suspicious libation and rub it on the included pink testing strip. If the strip turns blue, then it's time to call security and your friends and give that creep the beatdown he deserves.

Available in five quality glosses including Sophisticated Coffee, Passionate Pink and Posh Gloss, "2LoveMy" glosses not only keeps the pervs at bay, it also promises to plump lips and freshen breath. Unfortunately, 2 Love My Lips is currently an U.K. exclusive, but the company is looking to expand to other country so hopefully it'll be jumping the pond soon.

Via Coolest Gadgets

Gifts for the geek home, under $50

More gifts under $50, this time geek gifts rounded up by Unplggd. And therefore more home decor than tech toys.

Yes, a plethora of coasters, posters, and pillows, to say nothing of laptop decals. But a selection of more intriguing stuff too, including a shower radio designed to look like shampoo bottles, sure to puzzle houseguests who only want to wash their hair.

My favorite is the emoticon shower curtain from Bed Bath and Beyond for a fairly reasonable $14.99. Brush up while you bathe.

Square Enix Wants You to Smell the Final Fantasy

Star Trek has its own line of fragrances, why not a video game? Courtesy of game publisher, Square Enix, Final Fantasy XIII heroine Lightning, now has her own perfume line. The fragrance shares the same name as the character and will be available in 50 ml bottles for about $83.

Lightning Eau de Toilette is described as having notes of peach, followed by rose, and then a feminine musk -- whatever that means. While it's a little outlandish to have a video game-inspired fragrance, considering the wacky merchandising that we've seen attached to video games (energy drinks, life-sized sculptures, and the legions of fans that dress up like their favorite character at any comic book/anime convention), this is one of the classier promotions.

The fragrance is set to hit Japanese shelves one month after the game release, just in time for spring. Now loyal gamers can look and even smell like their favorite video games. What's next, a cologne for Solid Snake?

Via Technabob

How to be a planetary scientist--and a Martian too. For free.

Want to live on Mars and even study it as a scientist? Then move to this amazing new Web site

Drawing on observations from the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Mars missions, the "Be a Martian" Web site is designed to help the public to participate as citizen scientists to improve Martian maps, take part in research tasks, and assist Mars science teams studying data about the Red Planet, according to NASA. The site was put together by NASA and Microsoft and is just opened.

Among the possibilities, NASA says, participants will be able to explore details of the solar system's grandest canyon, which resides on Mars. Users can call up images in the Valles Marineris canyon before moving on to chart the entire Red Planet. The collaboration of thousands of participants could assist scientists in producing far better maps, smoother zoom-in views, and make for easier interpretation of Martian surface changes, the agency says.

By counting craters, the public also may help scientists determine the relative ages of small regions on Mars. In the past, counting Martian craters has posed a challenge because of the vast numbers involved. By contributing, Web site users will win game points assigned to a robotic animal avatar they select.

And if you're a software developer, you can win prizes for creating tools that provide access to and analysis of hundreds of thousands of Mars images for online, classroom and Mars mission team use.

It's not clear to me whether doing this stuff will actually help NASA out--although in these parsimonious days, who knows, maybe your contributions will actually count. And even if they don't count, this site is just incredibly cool.

LED Dress Lights Up Your Wardrobe and the Night

One look at this dress and I was blown away by its beauty and innovation. The Galaxy Dress is a one of a kind of creation put together by two designers. Comprised of 24,000 LED lights, 4,000 Swarovski crystals and quite a lot of iPod batteries, this dress is being called "the largest wearable display in the world." While it's a breathtaking creation in still images, video is the only medium that really does this light-up gown any justice.

Designers Francesca Rosella and Ryan Genz, creators of a "fashionable technology company" called CuteCircuit, reached out to Wired.com to give some background story to the dress.

“We used the smallest full-color LEDs, flat like paper, and measuring only 2 by 2 mm,” say designers Francesca Rosella and Ryan Genz in an e-mail. “The circuits are extra-thin, flexible and hand-embroidered on a layer of silk in a way that gives it stretch so the LED fabric can move like normal fabric with lightness and fluidity.”

T-Mobile introduces Nokia 3711 clamshell phone for the budget conscious

So who isn't budget conscious in these times? Well, excluding those lucky-buckies who raised their hands, the Nokia 3711 from T-Mobile suits the more uneasy wallets to the T. By just retaining the basic functionalities - QVGA screen, 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, FM radio and microSD memory slot in a neat clamshell. Though T-Mobile’s AWS 3G comes included, features such as GPS, picture-messaging and email may cost you more than what's on the deal offered. Which happens to be a really affordable $69.99 on a basic Even More plan. Or for the more optimistic is the alternative Even More Plus plan at $159.99.

Via Newlaunches.

Jenny McCarthy and Ubisoft Team Up For New Fitness Game

First Jillian Michaels, now Jenny McCarthy, it seems like everyone is trying to get in on the fitness gaming craze. Started by the highly successful Wii Fit, fitness games appeal to people that may not have the time to get to the gym or don't want to spend their hard-earned dollars on a gym membership.

Your Shape
, Ubisoft's addition to the fitness genre hopes to surpass Wii Fit's impressive sales numbers with more precise exercise movements, a little innovation, and a little help from funny woman Jenny McCarthy filling the spot of your in-game workout buddy. The Nintendo exclusive game features over 400 exercises including strength training, toning, and cardio. Unlike other fitness games, Your Shape is totally Wiimote free. So how does the game make sure your doing the exercise? Simple. Your Shape will be debuting the first ever camera for the Nintendo Wii.

The included camera will scans your body and detects your movements. After the initial scan, it projects your image onto the TV screen so you can watch your movements. As you exercise, the camera will be monitoring your motion to ensure you're not phoning it in and have the correct form. If you're slacking, or just not getting the movement down, Jenny will help you correct your form in real time.

Dell Adamo XPS: Waiting with Bated Breath

Dell Adamo is back and slimmer than ever if you can believe that. The latest iteration of the laptop whose name means "to fall in love with" is incredible 9.99 mm thick and will quite possibly be the slimmest laptop on the market -- for now. Aside from that, little else is known about the Adamo XPS except that the starting price will be a whopping $2000, that the little beauty is still made from aluminum and using the heat from your finger, the lid will automatically open.

I guess we'; have to continue drooling over the images until tomorrow when Dell finally launches the latest in the Adamo series. Although it seems almost obvious that the laptop will be running Windows 7, the steep price tag pretty much guarantees that this won't be a mass market machine. Limited images and stats aside, what kind of features would a computer have to include to make you eager to fork over $2000?

Via Engadget

Black Hello Kitty PMP is Techie Catnip

I haven't had anything Hello Kitty since I was a little girl, but iriver is really making me backtrack on that decision. Their new black Hello Kitty PMP is sleek and stylish enough that I wouldn't feel silly using it public. From the gold-accented bow to the whiskers, I just can't stop looking at it.

Available in 2GB and 4GB versions, the player is still a Japanese exclusive. It come packaged with earbuds and a USB cable. Volume and playback controls are located on the back of Kitty's head. Weighing in at a mere 16g, you just want to take it everywhere. The silicon cases are a cute touch, not only can you dress your Hello Kitty up, it keeps it safe from scratches.

It's set to release in Japan in time for the holidays. No word on when or if its coming stateside, but if you're a Hello Kitty fanatic you might want to look into importing this pretty mama. It's retailing for about $90.

Via Engadget

Voice Activated Crib Light is Relief for Parents and Children

After hearing the horror stories from friends with newborns of days with little or no sleep for days at a time, I've learned to appreciate a god night's sleep. Fortunately for those going through the transition of having a new baby in the house, someone empathizes with your plight. The folks over at ThinkGeek are selling a Voice Activated Crib Light with Womb Sounds.

If you're little one should wake from his or her restful slumber in a fuss, three colored lights turn on in response to the cry and start rotating to soothe your child. In addition, the device will play actual "womb music", sounds recorded from the womb. Just strap it to your baby's crib and the crib light will play for ten minutes after hearing your baby's cry which with any luck, will lull them back to sleep allowing you to get a full eight hours.

For only $14.99, the Crib Light is a 6.5" x 5" x 2.25" miracle worker if it actually gets the job done. It runs on 4 AA batteries and can be strapped to the crib or just laid flat. So would you give this gadget a shot or do you think it's too good to be true?

Via Coolest Gadgets

The Beatles catalog to be available on limited edition apple-shaped USB sticks

The Gods need no longer be dependent on your whimsical bio-logical memory alone for their existence. For folks at Apple Corps Ltd. and EMI Music have collaborated on this wonderful, wonderful limited edition run of 30,000 USB apples that contain the whole of the Beatles re-mastered catalog for the benefit of fans in the UK and USA.

The 16GB USB drive will be sold on December 7th (UK) and December 8th (USA) with the audio and visual contents provided in FLAC 44.1 Khz, 24 bit and 320 Kbps MP3 formats, fully compatible with PC and Mac. The USB stick will integrate the re-mastered audio for The Beatles’ 14 stereo titles, as well as 13 mini-documentary films about the studio albums, replicated original UK album art, rare photos and expanded liner notes. It is on pre-order right now at $279.99 on the official Beatles store. And well, if you are waiting for us to tell you that this is a great steal, buzz off coz you ain't no real fan.

Via Engadget.

LoJack for Your Child

If you're a parent, you know that you can't be with your children 24/7. So how do you safe guard them against the ever looming threat of stranger danger? Thanks to the geniuses over at Amber Alert GPS, parental units everywhere can breath a little easier with the release of the Amber Alert GPS 2G.

The 2G version of the Amber Alert GPS is being billed as "the world’s smallest, most powerful GPS tracking device." Now if your child wanders off or something more serious is afoot, you can simply call or text the 2G and you receive a detail map of their location to your phone within seconds. One feature that sets this tracker apart from others on the market is the new bread crumbing feature that creates an accurate trail of your child's travels. Another nifty feature is the Safe Zone feature that allows parents to create an area where it's safe for the kids to be in --kind of like a digital fence for juinior.

Sprint debuts Android phone, it is called HTC Hero

It is Sprint's first phone running on Android, and is quite a looker this HTC Hero. The HTC Hero is now official and is proudly debuting on October 11th, priced at $179.99 after rebates (a $50 instant savings and a $100 mail-in rebate with a two-year service agreement).

The HTC Hero will feature an intuitive touchscreen that employs the popular HTC Sense UI technology and "Scenes" to reflect different moments or user roles. With the Android platform bringing access to a host of more than 8000 mobile applications, the phone apparently draws heavily from how users use their phones in real-life. One of which happens to be silencing the phone by simply turning it over. You don't say! The Hero comes with a 3.2-inch touchscreen, an integrated 5.0 MP camera and camcorder, Wi-Fi capability, integrated GPS navigation, and a microSD slot. It offers e-mail, instant messaging and text messaging through POP, IMAP, and Exchange Active Sync accounts, plus live and on-demand programming with Sprint TV.

And for all those who cannot contain the excitement much longer, the pre-registration is happening here.

Via Engadget.

HotCans prove that canned food need never be cold-n-stale

If you have been forced once too often to eat cold food, you will duly appreciate what self-heating can mean to the world of packaged, ready meals. HotCans is a revolutionary invention that shines a ray of light on this great human need called hot meals. And quite literally too. All you do is place the can on its lid, pop a hole in the jacket using the included key, and wait exactly for 12 minutes while your meal is getting steamed up.

Let it suffice to know that the heating happens via a totally safe exothermic reaction - though that's a detail you would be least concerned about when you are stuck in the middle of nowhere with stubborn camping gear to handle. The canned food within has a shelf life of three years and is calorifically and nutritionally balanced. Though the three available choices rule out a king's gourmet (Beef Casserole, Sausage and Beans, and Vegetable Chili), the idea of self-heating is so absolutely radical that canned food might never be the same (read: cold and boring) again.

Hear ye all, here's hot food at $8.

Via DVICE.

Kiss the QOOQ: A New PC for the Kitchen

If you've ever had dreams of embracing your inner Julia Child a la "Julie & Julia", here's your chance. Thanks to a nifty new gadget from France, you can throw away all those tattered recipes and cookbooks.

The QOOQ (pronounced "cook"), is a kitchen computer that might be able to make cooking a pleasurable experience for those of us that are a little gun shy around the oven. QOOQ comes with video recipes as well as 500 preloaded dishes. And if that's not enough, users can sign up for a monthly subscription and have new recipes and sent to device. The digital recipe box can get internet access using WiFi or Ethernet. There's no web browser to speak of, but you can check the weather and update recipes as needed.

In addition to the recipes and videos, the QOOQ also serves as a meal planner and can help create a shopping list, so you don't off track with the impulse buying when you hit the grocery store. And when you need a little entertainment, QOOQ doubles as a digital picture frame and receives internet radio stations.

The 10.2-inch touchscreen tablet PC has a glass screen that makes for easy clean up as a precaution against those unexpected splashes and spills. Unfortunately, QOOQ is currently a French exclusive, but if there are plans to bring the device stateside, I'm sure it will sell like hotcakes (pun totally intended) to the burgeoning foodie movement.

Via Coolest Gadgets