Information Technology

Archive for the ‘Gadgets & Gizmos’ Category

Too often we think about gadgets like small devices made for us to have fun: mp3 players, cell phones, PDA’s, music players. So we forget about the ones made to help people and really change their life.

This article is about the gadgets that improve people life and aren’t so known as party and funny gadgets. I’m going to talk about the gadgets built for people with disabilities, devices that help this people to have a better life. The majority of these gadgets are made for the blinds so I will start with those.

Electronic eyes

This high-tech device recognizes the white stripes of a pedestrian crosswalk and reads traffic lights could tell a blind person when it’s safe to cross the street. The electronic eyes are being developed at Kyoto Institute of Technology.

Braille PDA’s and computers

The Braille Display allows blind users to use standard computers or PDA devices. The Braille gadgets use refreshable Braille displays, which raise small dots through holes in a flat surface to create Braille that refreshes as the user inputs commands. So a blind person will be able to play music, read books, take notes, making presentations or reviewing/editing documents.

PC with a screen reader

Screen readers access information displayed on computer monitors and interpret that information via text-to-speech output. This software must be used along with text to speech synthesizers to allow the blinds to use the computer easy.IBM offers Home Page Reader, special software to read and navigate Web pages for those who are blind.

Cell phone with Talks software

Talks software was created by Cingular Wireless. With it a blind person will have full access to the capabilities of the cell phone using only his voice.

Other usual gadgets for blinds are: Braille and talking clocks, Braille color-identification labels for clothing, tactile writing and signature guides, talking calculators and magnifiers.

For deaf persons there are several helpful gadgets which I will tell you about.

Portable amplifiers

These are small devices that can be easily carried and they are used to provide increased sound amplification.

Telecommunication devices

The telecommunication devices for deaf have typewriter keyboards, and the typed conversation appears either in a readout display or on paper.

Telecaption Adapters

The adapter is attached to television set. These enable viewers to read captions on their television screen.

Alerting gadgets

Now a deaf person can know when someone knocks at the door, when the baby is crying or the telephone is ringing. All these are possible because of the alerting systems. An alerting system for deaf will send a signal if: the baby is crying, the doorbell rings, telephone rings, the smoke alarm systems is on, the security alarms or the wake up alarm was started. The signal may be visual (a flashing light); auditory (an increase in amplification); or vibrotactile.

For the ones without hands or fingers there are some new gadgets designed to improve their life.

X-Finger

X-Finger is medical gadget replaces lost fingers created by Dan Didrick. X-Finger is a non-robotic prosthetic finger, or set of multiple fingers, with a full range of motion, including being able to curl like normal fingers.

The Bionic Hand

The Bionic Hand was created by David Gow. It is unique because thumb and fingers can move and grip just like a human hand and it is unique because it is uses patients mind and muscles control the movements.

So when you hear the word gadgets don’t think only to a device to have fun with, think about devices that improve people life, especially the ones with disabilities.

Is shopping for your father a long, painful process? Do you find yourself sweating every time Fathers Day, Christmas or your dad’s birthday arrives?

Why not get him an electronic gadget? What else has as much guy appeal yet can serve so many diverse functions?

The range of cool gadgets on the market today is incredible. It doesn’t matter if your father is interested in the outdoors, automotive restoration and maintenance, computers, travel, photography or arts and crafts there’s sure to be a gadget available for him.

In fact, the latest gadgets make popular presents. Gadget gifts are the third most likely to be purchased after CDs and clothes on fathers day in the US according to the National Retailers Association.

So what makes gadget gifts so popular?

When considering which gift to get it is very difficult to get past the novelty factor of new gadgets. This novelty factor is so strong that it is hard for gifts like clothing or photo frames to compare.

New electronic gadgets, particularly strange gadgets or unusual cool gadgets, also create conversations and give fathers something to talk about with friends or colleagues. When was the last time you heard your father talk about his latest shirt?

Gadgets also appeal to men particularly because of their ability to create something or solve problems. It is this benefit that perhaps adds to the attraction of gadgets so much that there is a wide range of gadgets for men.

Don’t just get bland socks or a generic CD for your father on his birthday or Fathers Day. Watch his face light up with joy by getting him some cool new gadgets.

 

Oh the wonders of technology.

 

There have been quite some people who have been amazed with technology. Though there are some who are not usually gadgeteers, they still do get amazed when they get to witness some of the coolest gadgets there is in the market. Well, you do know that the market is full of these — from the most useful to the craziest ones.

 

Let’s now take a look at the gadgets that you could use with your PC. See, there are gadgets also known as USB gadgets. USB, as we all know, is a port in your computer. This actually stands for universal serial bus. This port in your computer allows you to connect to gadgets and other devices so that they could play right in your computer. Sometimes, there are gadgets which need power. Now, the USB port actually has some power which could give life to these gadgets.

 

In Gadget Epoint’s collection of USB gadgets, you would find the USB turntable. Yes. There is such a thing. Now, this is a real good one to have around. See, if your dad has quite a collection of old records, there is no need for you to throw them all out. If you have the USB turntable with you, all you need is connect this gadget to your computer. When you have done so, you could put in any of the records you have around. The gadget would convert any songs recorded in that vinyl and they would become an MP3 which you could now save in your computer. Nifty, right? You would not have to say goodbye to the old songs that generations before you have enjoyed.

 

USB gadgets are some of the most interesting ones that you could probably see in the market. Check out what Gadget Epoint has to offer.