News Archive
Mon 5 June 2006
Divita BDM-100S: Disk storage and that is it
For all of you who cling onto hard copies the Divita BDM-100S "neo style" disc storage system helps you get rid of all those jewel cases (surely being able to look at the box and inlay etc. is the only reason for having the hard copy though?). The problem with this cool tech column however is that not only is it simply for storing and retrieving up to 100 DVD or CDs, it doesn’t even manage to do this well.
To retrieve your discs, you scroll through your collection on that 1.8-inch display or by tapping in the title and searching the catalogue. Without any type of PC connectivity or CDDB reference capability however imagine manually typing in all those names etc on that text-unfriendly keypad. It certainly is one way to blow $370, go buy a remote door opener instead.
Mon 5 June 2006
Attach this little contraption to any door and the wall and open or close the door via remote control. There's also a timer mode to automatically close the door after it has been opened a preset amount of time (up to 50 seconds). And for you ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ anxious types, during a power failure, the door can still be opened or closed manually, what’s more, there's also an obstacle detection sensor.
Reckon it would take quite a while for the novelty of this to wear off which is just as well seeing as it has a $324.99 price tag. Quite clearly this device also has more practical utility for senior, disabled or special needs folk rather than the automater enthusiast
For more on home automation see What can be controlled with Home-Atomation?
Fri 2 June 2006
Swash: steaming hot dishwasher of the future
Swash is the first sustainable, self sufficient dishwasher that cleans and sterilises using steam. High temperature steam does away with detergents and provides a hygienic clean without any by-products. A Nanotechnology filter enables water to be continually purified and reused resulting in minimal loss, the Swash thus does its part in helping in areas suffering from water shortage problems. Using a wide arsenal of sprinklers also means that a wash program can be complete in under 25 minutes. Added to all this, it’s not a bad looker either!
I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited about a dishwasher before, how do you improve on this?! I’m sure mother nature and the ozone layer are giving Alexandra Gilmour, the designer of this masterpiece, a standing ovation, somebody hand him a prize, gold star and badge!
Fri 2 June 2006
The Clapper switch: home automation at its most tesco value
As a follow up to Wireless on/off light switch I thought I’d bring some attention to the old Clapper. This old-timer is a sound-activated device which is plugged into a wall outlet. You then plug any appliance, a maximum of two, into the clapper which then turns those applicances on or off by the sound of your clapping. There is also an ‘away’ mode which enables the Clapper to function as a limited security device that will turn on appliances at the first noise it picks. For instance you could plug in a lamp so that lights go on when there is a noise to simulate occupancy or perhaps plug in an alarm to ward of any undesirables. Some may not so inaccurately call that a ‘clap trap’… oh dear, forgive me, it is the end of the week.
For more on home automation see What can be controlled with Home-Automation?
