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Babyglow temperature sensing clothing: because you're dumber than your newborn
The most gullible shopper on the planet has to be the first time parent. Well meaning consumers who at their core are scared senseless. Chris Ebejer knows this and has developed a line of Babyglow clothing for newborns meant to communicate changes in your baby's temperature -- the fabric turns white above 37-C or 98.6-F. Ebejer claims to have spent 6 years and more than a million dollars to perfect the fabric -- sure, even though similar, if not exactly the same tech has been around in novelty-Tees for the last 20 years. How much does a single bodysuit cost? Try £20 or about $33 per. Are you really going to trust this man with your treasure, be it carbon or gold?[Via Gizmodiva]
USB indoor / outdoor thermometer: for when walking outside is just too hard
Believe us, we've seen a variety of unorthodox thermometers before, but this one just shines in a very special way. Brando's USB indoor / outdoor thermometer ($22) is pretty self-explanatory, but we'll humor you a bit by going into detail. The unit itself is powered via your USB port and provides a much more precise reading than those silly weather websites that just take samples from an area nearby. There's even software bundled in to log readings every second for 12 whole hours. Science project, anyone?[Via Coolest Gadgets]
Conceptual artificial plant enables you to practice before slaying flora
C'mon, we know there are a few of you out there who couldn't keep a potted plant alive if a botanist was holding your hand, but there's hope for you all yet. At least, there is if QianJun Gao's masterpiece ever makes it past the drawing board. This eloquently dubbed Practice Plant features a trio of "flowers" that display barometric readings and turn colors depending on status, and the surrounding leaves will droop to signify their need for attention. Thankfully, even the brownest of thumbs could always restart this puppy and try again, and with enough trial runs, maybe one day those hanging baskets wouldn't sway out of your way as you waltz by.[Via YankoDesign]
Thermal imaging shows horizontal PS3s are cooler
Whether you want to act like you're in the armed services or are looking for a new use for those pairs of infrared, night-vision, or thermal goggles lying around the house, why not take images of the PS3 using them? Polygamia did, claiming the thermal images are proof positive that keeping your PS3 in the horizontal position keeps the console cooler.From the images, it seems accurate that the horizontal position is really the way to go. Anyone else got some dirty jokes in their minds? Keep them to yourselves -- this is totally professional talk here. Having these images is a bit better than conjecture and debate, so if you've got the space and want to prolong your system's life, do the right thing and lay that fine creature down instead of forcing it to stand. Oops, we did it anyway.[Via PlayStation Forums]
Treat your batteries right
Ars Technica has a short guide up to treating your iPhone, laptop, and iPod batteries right. Contrary to popular belief, it seems the best way to wear out a battery before its time isn't spending too many charge cycles-- it's heat. Charge cycles are equivalent to normal wear and tear on batteries-- it's better to charge your batteries up from partial charge rather than let them run all the way out, and then charge them fully. But heat is a much bigger factor, and considering that most laptops (or "notebooks," as Apple likes to say) run hot, batteries lose their capacity comparatively fast.The best way to store a battery, says Ars, is partially charged and in the fridge. In fact, one of their batteries still had a 95% charge after 2.5 years, just because most of that time was spent in about 40 degree temperatures at half charge.Of course, I buy batteries not to keep them in the fridge, but to use them, so I'd like to see (and have seen, don't get me wrong) progress in lifespan and capacity rather than a battery next to my Guinness in the fridge. But if squeezing every little bit of your battery counts, it sounds like you can't go wrong by being cool.
WiiControl keeps your console cool
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo_wii/WiiControl_keeps_your_console_cool'; Though Nintendo UK denies that it has received any reports of Wiis being bricked due to the WiiConnect24 service, you can never be too safe with any $200+ investment. Xtremetuner has created a hardware mod with the specific intention of guarding the console from overheating while it is in standby mode. WiiControl acts as an external interface that monitors and displays the temperature of the system on its LCD screen. When the mod detects temperatures beyond 35°C, it automatically activates the Wii's fan, even in standby mode. An audio warning will also notify the user if the temperature ever exceeds 44°C. The fan is disabled once the console has cooled down to 30°C. Check past the post break for a video demonstration.See also: Temperature-monitoring case mod for the Wii
Xbox 360 Hot Rock Case changes color as temperature rises
As if your options when scouting a replacement Xbox 360 case weren't endless enough, here's yet another alternative to ponder. XCMLive's Hot Rock Case may not do much to actually cool your potentially toasty console, but the LED-infused enclosure sports a digital thermometer that informs users of just how warm things are getting within. Additionally, the internal lights change color depending on the temperature range, and if it gets beyond a certain point (118-degrees Fahrenheit), the obligatory "flashing red" will act as your cue to take a momentary break or submerge your console in dry ice. No word yet on pricing or availability, but be sure to check an alternate shot after the break.[Thanks, Bobb]
Temperature-monitoring case mod for the Wii
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/mods/Temperature_monitoring_case_mod_for_the_Wii'; Evolving from the designs of Team Xtender's past mods, the ii-Hot Rock case aims to do more than just light the Wii with colorful LEDs. The $62.95 shell comes equipped with a digital thermometer that displays the console's internal temperature, and the LEDs shift with that measurement. Every 5° change pushes their hue towards either a colder or warmer glow, luminescing a light blue at sub-28°C and glaring klaxon red when temperatures over 55°C are detected. If you're paranoid about overheating consoles, a mod like this would be perfect for quickly warning you to either shut your system off or execute an emergency saucer separation, putting distance between you and the rest of the starship before the Wii's warp core breaches. Let's all hope it never comes to that. Set a course past the post break, and check out a couple more photos of Team Xtender's ii-Hot Rock case.
Energy-efficient Deepglider scours the ocean for scientific data
The University of Washington's Deepglider won't go down as the first manmade projectile to scour the ocean for random (albeit useful) tidbits of information, but it does sport an ultra-modern frame and energy source that certainly sets it apart. Similar to the nuke detector, Edinburgh Duck, and the bevy of other submarines used for the benefit of mankind, this concoction is used to capture underwater data to aid researchers in discovering more about global warming and seafloor conditions, but its autonomous nature and carbon fiber enclosure gives it the ability to remain underwater "for up to a year" and sink to depths of nearly 9,000 feet. The 71-inch long, 138-pound device carries sensors to measure "oceanic conditions including salinity and temperature," and when not patrolling the seas based on satellite-driven controls, it can transmit the data remotely using the same signal path in reverse. Notably, the torpedo-like device boasts an energy-efficient, battery-powered design that allows it to stay submerged for ridiculous amounts of time without needing a recharge, and while we're not too sure if its researchers are too caught up in its unmatched diving abilities to notice how swank the power system is, they've apparently got a good thing going.
Widget Watch: miniStat2 v1.81 adds Intel Mac temp, more
While I'm still a bigger fan of the iStat pro widget, miniStat2 definitely wins points for compactness, creativity and for quickly incorporating a monitor for Intel Mac temperatures. Other updates include the ability to change the currently monitored network interface right from Network tab of the widget, the storage tab only displaying physical hard drives (as opposed to including .DMG files and the like) as well as a Spanish localization.A demo of miniStat 2 is available from ShockWidgets, and a license will cost $5.
Take your Mac's temperature with Temperature Monitor
Here's a timely piece of freeware. With Temperature Monitor, you can keep a watchful eye on your Mac's CPU temperature, either PPC or Intel. Select either Celsius or Fahrenheit, and watch your Mac heat up and (occasionally) cool down via the dock or menu bar (or both).Temperature Monitor requires Mac OS 10.2.5 or later and is free.[Via FreeMacWare]
CoreDuoTemp 0.8
CoreDuoTemp, the handy little app for monitoring your Intel Mac's temp, CPU usage and frequency, has been updated to version 0.8. New features include: window position saved menu extra indicator new panel prefs correction of the English translation German language added You can grab your own copy here.
Widget Watch: SysStat nano
SysStat Nano is a great little system monitoring widget (similar to MiniStat 2) that gives you a quick, birds-eye view of various system statistics. Your processor, used memory, hard drive usage, IP and (very handy) external IP, amongst other things, are all at the press of a key.While SysStat Nano offers an overview of various stats (pictured), it doesn't offer quite as much information as the aforementioned MiniStat 2. Either way, it's a darn handy widget, doesn't seem to hog too many cycles and, best of all, it's free.
