The Red Ferret Journal - gadgets, cool sites, freeware and tech trivia

Sony Xperia Z 4G Tablet – hands on with Sony’s superb new iPad killer [Video Review]

Nigel — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:30:00 +0000

If product coolness was measured in ice cream, the new Sony Xperia Z 4G Tablet would be a triple choc whipped Sundae, with maraschino cherries, white truffle chunks and lashings of dark Belgian chocolate sprinkles on a bed of silver sugar flecks. Yes it’s that delicious.

But before we continue any further, one quick question. What on earth is going on with Sony? Just a mere 24 months ago the company was the laughing stock of [...]

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Workrave – this little free program could just save your life [Freeware]

Nigel — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:39:50 +0000

You don’t have to look far to find any number of research studies which point out the dangers of sitting down all day as we do our jobs in front of computer screens. And that’s not counting the rising number of people who suffer from RSI (repetitive strain injury) from doing the same kind of computing and mousing tasks day in, day out.

Of course technology wouldn’t be technology if someone didn’t come up with a [...]

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Red Ferret Power Up Giveaway – enter to win a terrific portable emergency battery backup for your phone

Nigel — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:36:55 +0000

Great News! We have partnered with iWALK to bring you the Red Ferret Power Up Giveaway. All you have to do is enter below for a chance to win an Extreme 7500 backup battery, and you’ll never have to worry about a dead battery on your phone or tablet again!

The iWalk Extreme range of backup batteries are safe, reliable, and best of all won’t take up too much precious space in your bag or pocket. [...]

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A little hands on time with the cinimizer OLED Multimedia Video Glasses [E3 2013]

caitlyn — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:30:46 +0000

We’re all looking for an escape every now and again. Everyone has their own method, but many choose to play games. It will let you run off to a different world and experience adventures unlike anything we have here. However, it’s a bit difficult to be truly immersed in your game when you have your living room showing up in your peripheral. Last week at E3, I got a little hands on time [...]

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The Doorbot – I heard a rapping, tapping at my door

caitlyn — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:00:50 +0000

Whenever you hear your doorbell ring, your mind immediately wonders who it could be. Is it the pizza guy, your mom coming by for a surprise visit, or a door-to-door salesman? Obviously you would use a little bit more discretion if you could talk to the person on the other side of the door without having to open it. The Doorbot will allow you to screen who shows up on your front porch, [...]

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If you’re clumsy with coffee, try the Mighty Mug

caitlyn — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:00:18 +0000

Morning is not something we really enjoy. However, when it comes to pouring that second cup of coffee things don’t seem so bad. Of course, by that time you’re already at work. Some of us are a bit prone to knocking things around as we don’t reach a level of full awareness before noon. If this strikes a chord, you might want to invest in a mug that is more accident-proof. The [...]

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Awesome Temperature Sensing LED Display Cup – so much technology just to keep your lips safe

Nigel — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:11:31 +0000

There are few things worse than grabbing your favorite hot beverage in a rush only to scald your mouth when the contents prove to be delivered straight from the mouth of a volcano. Or worse, you encounter a rush of stone cold, turgid liquid when what you really needed was a warm soothing flow.

Well thanks to the power of ultra high technology (who thinks up these ideas anyway?) we present the Temperature Sensing LED Display [...]

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SMS Alarm – keep losing your phone while it’s on silent mode? Fear not. Install this and relax. [Freeware]

Nigel — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:49:52 +0000

Hands up if you have had a ‘lost phone’ moment sometime in the last three months. Yeah it’s easily done isn’t it, and it’s always at the most awkward moment, just when you’re leaving to catch that flight or pick up the elderly parent or something equally urgent.

What makes it more dangerous is when the phone is set to silent, which means you can’t call it to listen for the ring. Well now there’s a [...]

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Wooden iPod Steampunk Wristwatch – there’s so much more to time than mere minutes, don’t you think…?

Nigel — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:29:58 +0000

Wrist watches may be going out of fashion in a general sense, but for some people the idea of strapping on a real ticking or purring timepiece still holds a large amount of fascination. Of course it’s often just to show off with some garish lump of metal, but sometimes you’re lucky enough to see true cool.

This awesome Wooden Steampunk Wristwatch from Polish studio Redmer Werkstatt is a case in point. Designed around a thoroughly [...]

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ASUS VivoMouse wants to change the way you look at your peripherals

caitlyn — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:00:56 +0000

As technology changes, so does the way we look at our interactions with them. Form and function start to meld into each other, as a newer and better version of a product rises out of the ashes. While companies always market things as if they are making the latest and greatest, it doesn’t always mean their advertising is correct. The ASUS VivoMouse is a new device that will combine a mouse (1200 dpi), [...]

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Peak Design Capture Camera Clip – Ready, Aim, Click!

caitlyn — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:00:29 +0000

Whenever you’re out in the wild taking photographs, you can help but feel as though you’re a quick-draw gunman from the west. If you’re a second too late on drawing out your camera, you might miss that prize-winning picture, and no one wants that. This means you need to have it readily available at all times, but you don’t want it to be hanging about your neck, as those with [...]

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Batman Belt Buckle with a built-in Speaker – nana nana nana nana PANTS

caitlyn — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:00:02 +0000

You don’t need a proper theme song to be a successful superhero, but it couldn’t hurt, right? Look at how awesome Batman is, and he had an amazing tune that we all know and love. If you want some background music to your life, or just want to blast your hero-music whenever you’re about to do something in the name of justice, you’re going to need a discreet [...]

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Ferret posts this week

Red — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 11:30:02 +0000

Here’s a quick round-up of Red Ferret posts from the past week for those who missed them. Enjoy.

Earth Alerts – live map of our planet’s natural hazards makes for compulsive viewing (+Freeware] – You don’t have to live in an… Become the terror of the pool with the RC Cyborg Shark – If you’ve ever seen Jaws, it’s… The ARKON Windshield Smartphone Mount – work smarter, not harder – Having a smartphone means you can… The Solid Gray Backpack is futuristic and functional [...]

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AquaGlide Multisport 270 – 4 in 1 inflatable sailboat, kayak, wind-surfer and towable…surf’s up dude

Nigel — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 11:34:56 +0000

Now that summer’s here, our thoughts quite rightfully turn to important matters like beachwear, vacation slots and all the fun that we can fit into a jolly at the seaside. The real action always takes place on the water of course, but it’s really a pain to have to lug a boat or other craft down to the water’s edge in order to indulge our desires.

The AquaGlide MultiSport 270 makes all that hassle disappear. This [...]

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Stayhold helps organize your car trunk

Debra Atlas — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:23:16 +0000

Car trunks are notorious for being messy.And it seems no matter what you do, messy seems to be the default mode. But a new product out of Ireland, Stayhold, will change that.

Launched last month in Dublin, this colorful rectangular holder sticks to the carpet in your trunk, acting as an anchor, a barrier holding in place whatever is behind it against the side wall of your trunk. Made of [...]

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Maxell Digital Soundbar TV Speaker – great sound at a budget price [Video Review]

jmg — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:52:20 +0000

The Maxell folk are the ones who brought cassette tape to the world for which we are eternally grateful, and ever since then they have been trying to make a name for themselves in various consumer tech products. As well as storage media and computer peripherals they also do audio visual devices, and the latest of these is the Maxell Digital 2.1 Surround Soundbar TV Speaker , a 2.1 surround sound system for your TV.

It’s [...]

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HOL Syndrome – is your laptop making you sick? (+ a possible solution)

Nigel — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:21:33 +0000

Disturbing recent research from the U.K. reports that one in ten people suffer from posture problems while working on the move, with more than 65% of them saying they need to take medication to manage the condition. It seems that our laptops, tablets and mobile phones are causing real problems for our backs.

The research, conducted on behalf of office equipment supplier Fellowes, also points to a disturbing increase in pain among those who have to [...]

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IGGI Signal Pod – look ma, no hand signals!

caitlyn — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 06:30:35 +0000

Riding a bicycle is a great way to keep in shape, and helps you save on gas money. You need to make sure that you and your bike are sporting the proper gear to stay safe. At minimum, you should be using a helmet and reflective material/lights so that you can be seen in darker settings. While riding, you need to make sure that you are courteous to the vehicles [...]

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Learn your licks with the PocketStrings Portable Guitar Practice Tool

caitlyn — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 06:10:02 +0000

Learning how to play an instrument is rather difficult. On the same token, knowing how to play one and learning a new song is a task all its own. Repetitive practice is the only way to learn complex riffs, but it all comes down to muscle memory. The only problem is that you can’t always take your instrument with you during the day. If you happen to play guitar, then you’ll be in [...]

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The Zero Gravity Hammock Chair will have you floating through dreamland

caitlyn — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 06:00:45 +0000

There are days where you feel as though you’re floating on a cloud. Although, sadly, gravity makes it so that can never actually happen. The next best thing is to simulate the feeling of drifting on thin air, but of course this means you’re going to need to pull out the ole wallet. The Zero Gravity Hammock Chair will let you hover in one spot, allowing you to swing backwards, [...]

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The Portable Tabletop Mosquito Repeller – tell those insects to bug off!

caitlyn — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 06:00:56 +0000

Well, it’s summer, so of course we want to get rid of all the bugs that come with it. First and foremost, mosquitoes. Those little bloodsuckers don’t just sting you and leave, they make you itch for days. While eliminating them all does sound enticing, you mainly just want them to go away, and bug spray doesn’t always work. The Portable Tabletop Mosquito Repeller gives you a shield against most [...]

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