Specialty online store JetPens sent me a couple of their products to check out. Yes, pens, but they import many of their products from Japan and Germany, so you’ll be hard-pressed to find most of these stateside. And yes, even when it comes to something as mundane as writing, the Japanese and Europeans have some different ideas than we do.

I received 2 products, the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto 5 Color Multi Pen and the Tombow AirPress.

The Tombow AirPress

First, let me hit the Tombow AirPress. The geek factor in this one is that it injects air pressure into the ink cartridge every time you press the cap to keep the pen writing even on dirty or wet surfaces. Of course, I had to test out the ‘wet’ claim. I splashed water onto a sheet of paper, and before it was absorbed completely by the paper started writing. Well there was some ink bleeding of course (can’t help that), but sure enough, the pen wrote. Impressed. On the other hand, I can’t imagine having to write on wet surfaces too often.

The Tombow also wrote pretty nicely, although not as smooth as a felt tip pen, but then again a felt tip wouldn’t do well in water. I also found it a little short, but that’s personal preference that is heavily influenced by the way I hold my pen.

Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto 5 Color Multi Pen

The next pen took me back to my high school days when I had a similar, but much cheaper version ‘multi pen’ made by Bic. That one had 4 colors and they were pre-set. The Coleto takes 5 ink cartridges and you get to pick the colors that go into it, and you can replace the cartridges as needed. Love it. This one will stay on my desk, as I’m always looking for a black, red, blue or green pen, and now I won’t have to keep 4 or 5 of them around.

I found the writing to be a little scratchy, but that’s due to the smaller nib on these pens. I’m not about to write my next bestseller with it, so I can live with that in exchange for the convenience. Oh, also cool is that you can also insert a mechanical pencil or stylus as well. Take a look at the video to see how the 5 carts fit into the body.

While you’re persuing JetPens, you may also want to check out the Uni-Ball Kuru Toga that keeps the pencil lead constantly sharp. The Monteverde One Touch Ballpoint is a pen, but flip it over and you have a touchscreen stylus. Apart from pens and pencils and of course refills, they also stock specialty paper, journals and notebooks.

(Disclaimer: Gizmos for Geeks received a complimentary review copy of this product.)

Sci-Fi meets extrapolation meets imagination meets entertainment meets crowd-sourced blog is how I like to view PhutureNews. This site/blog is all about predicting the future but not in the boring “in the future, we think…” style, but rather as headlines and stories with future date stamps. Although they just launched, they have some rather interesting ‘stories’ like “Steve Jobs rising out of the iCryo”, “China wins the 2046 World Cup”, and or the more realistic “Self driving cars mandatory in California”.

Two suggestions for PhutureNews: first, please go buy the FutureNews.com (or dot whatever domain) and rename the site! The “ph” doesn’t quite work. And second, you absolutely need RSS feeds. Other than that, keep writing cool and interesting stories.

Many people leave their gorgeous smartphones at home when heading to other countries and/or take cheap phones so that they don’t risk losing them. But have you thought about how your smartphone, especially its camera, could help you out when you travel?

Here’s how and when your phone’s camera (especially if it’s a good 8 Megapixel camera say on one of the latest Samsung phones or the new iPhone 4S) can be useful to you.

1. Use your smartphone’s camera to take a photo of your bags especially if you’re going to travel by air. If your bag is lost in the airport, you can show the photo to the airport staff, which is much simpler than trying to remember and describe it accurately. I’ve found myself in just this situation a couple of times, and this tip has always helped me save much time and energy.

2. If you’re staying in a country where you’re not familiar with the language, it’s a good idea to take a photo of your hotel. I always had a problem finding my hotel after I went somewhere far on foot, and asking the locals didn’t work either, especially if they didn’t speak English well. But you could definitely show them or perhaps a taxi driver the photo and gesture ‘where’!

3. If you’re terrible with remembering numbers, take a shot of the hotel room door (or write it down in the virtual notebook of your phone). That way, you won’t have to ask the front desk what room you’re staying in the next time you forget!

What are your tips for using your smartphone for more productive and/or fun travel?

——–

Have you ever needed someone else to hold a flashlight for you in a badly lit location, despite how bright the room may have been? (Think inside of a computer case.) Well, startup MicroLite Tech has a solution – their self-named MicroLite. It’s an approximately 1 cubic inch cube that stores a small LED light that is turned on when you press on the top of the unit and pop out the light.

I tested it out behind my computer (of course!). It works as advertised. I only had 2 pieces of constructive criticism. First, I don’t care for the pop-out mechanism. It requires pushing in and then pulling out with your finger/thumb. When this gizmo is attached semi-permanently (via the 3M self-adhesive tape) somewhere, you’ll notice it takes some rocking for it to pop up. I’d rather it just be a simple push in to pop out, push to pop back in.

Second, I find it a bit pricey – $10 for a single unit or even $20 for 3 is a bit much. I think somewhere around $3 is probably about right. It does have a 1-year warranty and the lights last for 30 hours which should translate into much more than a year of use.

But I can’t complain about what it does. Definitely falls into the ‘hey, why didn’t I think of that?’ category, so well-done MicroLite. They’re also developing a magnetic one so that it becomes a lot more portable instead of having to stick and unstick. BTW, they’re always on the lookout for new and useful uses for the MicroLite, so let them know if you come up with one!

There are many gadgets that we’ve ‘inherited’ courtesy of the military that we take for granted yet enrich our daily lives. The US Department of Defense (DoD) has a sizable portion of its financial budget that is partially secret that goes towards R&D on cutting-edge and next-generation technology. Over the past 80 years or so, a number of current consumer technologies have stemmed either directly or indirectly from DoD-directed research and even actual products that the US military has used in the field.
Here are just 4 of some of the notable ones that we use and benefit from today.

1. Jeeps: The First SUV

In 1941, the Willys Jeep was manufactured for the United States military. It had a stiffer suspension for handling off-road conditions, more space than an automobile and a higher ground clearance. Over the years, this off-road vehicle became the model for modern sports utility vehicles, which appeal to those who want more space with the more rugged structure of a truck. The SUV interior became more and more comfortable. In 1971, the Humvee followed the military to civilian path just like its Jeep predecessor.

2. Global Positioning System (GPS)

The Global Positioning System (GPS) was created and is administered by the United States Department of Defense. It is a satellite-based navigation system, which assists in improving the accuracy of missiles. Since the 1980s, GPS has been made available for civilian purposes. It has provided valuable driving instructions and assisted in emergency rescue.

3. Night Vision Goggles

In 2000, the United States Army began tests a fused imaging system combining a thermal camera with a helmet to help soldiers see in complete darkness. Soldier feedback helped improve the product to maximize image clarity and situational awareness. Night vision google were the result. Unaided human eyesight has a limited spectral and intensity range. Night vision goggles have enhanced human eyesight with sensors for reading electromagnetic radiation. Dark images are made more intense and illuminated by the military-developed night vision goggles.

4. The Internet

In the 1960s, the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) became the world’s first functioning packet switching network. It was funded by the Department of Defense with technical assistance from universities. Gradually, the ARPANET was expanded across the United States via university and government hosts. In the 1970s, the ARPANET was expended to federal wide area networks giving rise to the modern Internet.

These military innovations have had an enormous effect on the way we live our lives. Thanks to the military for these great gadgets!

Photo credits: Jeep Nostalgia by Dru Bloomfield – At Home in Scottsdale/flickr; GPS waypoint by sridgway/flickr; IMG_0709 by Jemimus/flickr; Chinese students surfing on the Internet by SCA Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget/flickr

Happy New Year!

For some, a new year is time to start anew. Perhaps last year was particularly rough with relationships or monetarily or perhaps there were physical or mental issues that put a damper on 2011 but with the start of a new year we can start all over and work towards a better you in 2012!

Here are 10 ways you can improve yourself and keep your New Year’s Resolutions by using Technology:

1 Habits 2012 – Reach your Goals with this highly customizable Habits app. In Habits 2012, the app offers a habits-focused set of items such as “Live a Healthy Life” that allows you to daily track the various tasks required to reach you goal. For example, have you flossed and did you sleep at least 7 hours? If you’d like to use a broader set of items like customizable, visual scales then you can move up to the developer’s Track & Share app, which comes in a Pro and Lite version. (Pricing options from Free to $0.99)

2 Toodledo – Be more productive by using this online to-do list. You can organize your tasks using folders, tags, contexts, subtasks and more as well as search and sort easily. With Toodledo’s hotlist, customizable alarms and sortable online to-do list you can become more productive and using your mobile phone, email, web browser, iPad or through several integrations (Ceptara Organizer for Outlook [$49.95] for example), your to-do list will always be handy. (Pricing options exist from Free to $14.95/yr to $29.95/yr)

3 Philips Sonicare Diamondclean Rechargeable Toothbrush – While this toothbrush won’t force you to brush, it will compel you! I received one of these as a Christmas gift and since then I really look forward to brushing my teeth! The rechargeable toothbrush has a dual charging system which includes a charger glass (induction) and a USB charging travel case… yes, USB charging travel case! The patented sonice technology drives fluid to stimulate the gums and in fact the first 25 brushes provide a ramp up time to get your teeth and gums ready for the full force. The toothbrush includes five modes to offer a custom cleaning experience including: two-minute standard mode (clean), teeth whitening mode to lift surface stains (white), teeth brightener and polisher (polish), three-minute mode to improve gingival health (gum care) and a gentle motion for sensitive teeth and gingival health (sensitive). Of course the DiamondClean includes standard features such as a smarttimer and quadpacer so you don’t have to watch the clock to know when to stop brushing.

4 Kindle – Exercise your brain in addition to your body by picking up a Kindle to read one of 800k titles available for $9.99 or less or pick up an Amazon Prime Membership to read from over 50k titles and former New York Times Bestsellers for free! ($79 – $199)

5 Health through Breath for iPad – Breathing is life and proper breathing is critical to reduce stress and for health. Unfortunately we forget how to breath properly as we get older but this app offers a structured course of customizable sessions allowing you to de-stress and increase your overall wellness through timed, conscious slow breathing aided by animated graphics and musical cues. In addition to iOS, it’s available for Android, Windows Phone 7, Mac and PC. (Free)

6 Mint.com – Mint pulls all your financial accounts into one place allowing you to set budget, track financial goals and do more with your money – for free! Imagine total visibility into your finances to see what’s happening with your checking, savings, investments and retirement while being able to pull reports of your net value as Mint also tracks assets such as cars and houses and even automatically updates your housing pricing using Zillow. Mint also has an app for visibility on the go! (Free)

7 eBay – 2012 is the year of decluttering or, at the very least, “one in – one out”. What does that mean? If you bring a possession into the house, you need to remove a possession and what better way that to easily sell through eBay? (Varies)

8 LIVESTRONG.COM App – The LIVESTRONG.COM Calorie Tracker can help you reach your diet, weight loss and fitness goals by tracking your daily calories and exercise. Lose weight easily by setting your weight goals and track your calories and progress with our comprehensive online food journal containing over 1 Million food and fitness items. Tracking works. You will lose weight like millions of other members. ($2.99)

9 Free Online Courses – Get free online courses from the world’s leading universities. This collection includes over 250 free courses in the liberal arts and sciences. Download these audio & video courses straight to your computer or mp3 player. (Free)

10 Rosetta Stone – Learn a new language in the New Year. Rosetta Stone has the best track record for helping business, government employees and individuals learn a new language through their method: learn naturally, speak confidently, immerse yourself and stay motivated through achievement.

What are some of your resolutions?

We have hurtled head-first into the digital age, so it’s high time that our holiday homes get tech-friendly too. Taking our prized tech possessions on our travels is easier than ever before, but finding a hotel to cater for all our connection needs can often be a challenge.

So, what’s the solution? A new breed of hotels that cater for well-connected tech whizzes could be the answer. Whether you want a luggage robot, a speaking sofa or a silent doorbell system, these hi-tech hotels have got it all.

Hotel Sax, Chicago

Tech specs: a studio lounge with Rock Band and Guitar Hero

Ever fancied yourself as a fledgling rock star? The appropriately named Hotel Sax in Chicago is all about the musak. The ‘Studio Lounge’ is a stairway to heaven for budding rock gods, with Guitar Hero and Wii games on tap. Free Wi-Fi and widescreen TVs are pretty much a given wherever you go, but how many hotels will lend you a laptop and a swanky Zune mp3 player to boot?

Hotel 1000, Seattle, US

Tech specs: a silent doorbell system

Seattle may be the city that never sleeps, but guests staying at Hotel 1000 will be sure to get a good night’s rest. This hi-tech hotel has a silent doorbell system that lets staff know whether you’re ready for housekeeping or not. When the doorbell is pushed, an infra-red light scans your room and if it detects movement, a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign pops up on the door. As if this wasn’t enough to please all the hi-tech fans out there, Hotel 1000 also boasts baths that fill with water from the ceiling!

Cotswold House, Gloucestershire, England

Tech specs: $21,747 bed made from 10,000 capsules

This hi-tech house is a futuristic flight of fancy with all the amenities the modern traveller could require. The stylish rooms have an entertainment system that lets you download your digital snaps while you listen to your favourite tunes. For the ultimate treat, book a night in one of the brand new Montrose Rooms, where you can dream the night away on a $21,747 bed made from 10,000 capsules designed for the body’s contours.

Yotel, New York, US

Tech specs: world’s first luggage robot

Stationed outside airports in New York and London, the Yotel has got to be the best stop-over hotel of the 21^st century. Futuristic furniture surrounds you on all sides, from the motorised moving beds to the Technowall with an in-built TV and music system. Gone are the lame luggage systems of the past; at the Yotel, a highly efficient robot known as Yobot sorts and stores your luggage.

Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel, Ibiza

Tech specs: Facebook sharing frenzy

Sitting in the heart of clubbing central, the Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel has found a clever way to connect its guests to the online world. Using specially designed wristbands, guests simply have to touch certain sensors to ‘check in’ on Facebook and post photos and status updates. The rooms have mood-matching LED lights and blackout curtains for guests who party just a little too hard!

Hi Hotel in Nice, France

Tech specs: loudspeaker sofas

The Hi Hotel is every fashion followers’ dream come true. Nestled in the heart of Nice, this hotel is effortlessly chic and sophisticated. Created by cool French designer Matali Crasset, the Hi Hotel specialises in futuristic hi-tech furniture. Throw caution to the wind and welcome to a world where sofas are loudspeakers and chairs are old computer screens.

Mama Shelter, Paris, France

Tech specs: 24 inch iMac in every room

Designer Philippe Starck was charged with turning a dusty car lot into a swanky new hotel, and from the rubble Mama Shelter was born. Situated in France’s cosmopolitan capital, this hi-tech hotel is a haven for gadget geeks. All 172 rooms come with a 24 inch iMac that lets you catch up on the latest TV shows, bop to your favourite pop songs and surf the web. The restaurant is dotted with digital tables showcasing various TV channels, while the events room is kitted out with a swanky Bose sound system.

Photo Credit: USB Image by Brandmaier/flickr

If you don’t mind having the ‘fun’ taken out of tuning up your guitar, then this little gizmo should save you a lot of time – a robotic guitar tuner. This isn’t just a simple device that tells you whether your current tuning is too flat or too sharp, it actually listens and then tunes your guitar automatically! The motor inside it knows exactly how far to turn your tuning peg to get the perfect sound.

More info in the video below:

Buy now!
Price: $49.95
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)

Are pets part of the family? This is an ongoing debate that won’t soon die over. But what isn’t up for debate is how those who love their pets and do consider them part of the family love to spoil them rotten. In the Winter time, when every two legged and four legged creature tends to hibernate, pet owners will spend an arm and a leg to make sure Fido or Princess get their activity and fun time indoors. But come Summer time, there’s no keeping a dotting pet lover from making sure Poodles or Butch get their fun in the Sun.

Let’s take a look below at the different ways to pamper your beloved pooch this Summer.

1. Cool New Frisbee – what active and fun loving dog doesn’t love a good game of Frisbee fetch. Many can’t resist the running, jumping and catching that is involved, not too mention the time spent together with his or her master. Get him a top of the line Frisbee that can’t easily be broken by his strong jaws or grip. Some good brands include: Jawz Disc by SkyHoundz.

2. Water Vest – many dogs love to spend time on the water. If your pooch is one of the many, then a water vest is in order. But not any water vest, one from esteemed online doggie shop Get Pets Wet based in Cleveland, Ohio that creates dog life vests in several different sizes, colors and styles. They’ve been around since 2005 and one of the main reasons they created the shop was to keep dogs safe in the water.

3. Sun Glasses for Dogs (Doggles) – an ambitious pair (Ken and Roni Di Lullo) in California came up with this rather genius idea. Sunglasses for dogs. The name stems from the fact that they look like goggles but are for dogs, hence the name Doggles. These are honest to goodness real UV-safe sunglasses that are aimed at dogs and their special face dimensions. When Fido straps them on, this alleviates eye strain from too much sun exposure as they offer 100% UV protection, are anti-fog and also shatterproof.

4. Doggie Park Membership – the next best thing to going to the lake or beach with you dog, is to take her to the local doggie park. This is a special park sectioned off just for pets, usually dogs – where they can run and play with other dogs. Get Fido a one year membership and he’ll bark with delight.

5. Outdoor Dog Camp – many pet sitting centers have what’s called a Doggie Day Camp, this is usually an outing once or twice a week where the dogs are walked to a special park or other similar venue and given TLC along with plenty of play and activity to keep them busy, active and happy. Call your local pet sitting center and ask if they have dog camps or know of places that offer it. You can also ask around in your social network for a referral. Your beloved dog will thank you in the form of loyal companionship for many years to come.

There’s no doubt that Americans love to treat their four legged pooches with lots of love and no amount of money can ever replace a simple walk around the block, a run in the park or simply a game of tennis ball fetch in the backyard.

Whatever your style and budget, take your dog out this Summer and enjoy his company as much as he enjoys yours.

This is a guest post written by Missy Diaz who works for Nutre Care. Nutre Care is an online web shop that helps animal loving geeks find pet supplies for their four legged companions.

Lulz Security (aka LulzSec) have been responsible for some notorious hacks in the past 6 weeks that have made headlines, including the attack on the Sony PSN (Playstation Network).

Thousands upon thousands of Facebook, GMail and PayPal accounts have been hacked and worse made public. Gizmodo has set up a tool to allow you to see if your account(s) has been compromised. Check it out here.