A few high tech gift ideas just in time for the upcoming holiday season.
Sony AIBO ERS-210 Robot — $1,590
AIBO Entertainment Robot is a totally new kind of robot. Autonomous and sensitive to its environment, it’s able to learn and mature like a living creature. Since each AIBO experiences its world differently, each develops its own unique personality — different from any other AIBO in the world.
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The name AIBO derives from Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) and Robot (“BO”) — plus the happy concurrence with the Japanese word “aibo,” which means, “companion.”
The four-legged robot has 20 motorized joints that make its movements amazingly realistic, walking, sitting, lying down. AIBO has four senses — for touch (on its head, chin and back), hearing, sight (with a small camera in its nose) and balance. These allow AIBO to adapt to its surroundings and to interact with people.
AIBO expresses real emotions, using its musical, electronic tonal language, s LED eyes and body movements (including tail wagging) to express a full range of six different emotions: happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise and dislike. Daily communication and attention will determine how AIBO behaves. If you praise AIBO when it plays with its pink ball (included) it will seek out that toy even more — scold it and eventually it will learn to ignore the ball.
The Sharper Image’s AIBO ERS-210 Entertainment Robot comes with Personality Enhancement AIBO-ware (ERF-210AW01) software, called “AIBO Life” and worth $90 when sold separately. This is the software that allows AIBO to act like the living creature we’ve described — to learn from its environment and human interaction, and to mature from infant to adult. Other software packages and accessories (to allow it to take snapshots or play party games) are available separately from Sony.
Aqua Frame — $19.95
This artwork is an addition to any home or office. Just fill this fake aquarium’s clear plastic tank with real water and add the trio of lifelike tropical fish. Concealed moving magnets keep the three little red, blue and yellow fishes “swimming” along with incredible realism. Aqua Frame’s all the fun of an aquarium with none of the hassle! The included undersea photo can be used as the backdrop, or you can personalize the undersea environment with photos of your choosing. It runs on 2 C batteries (order separately) and measures 7 1/2″ x 9 1/4″ x 2 1/2″ and comes with a 90-day warranty.
Talking Travel Companion
Feel safer and more secure in any hotel room anywhere in the world. The Talking Travel Companion® separates into two multi-functional devices: The first is a combination flashlight, barometric weather trend indicator and alarm clock. Press a button and a woman’s pleasant voice announces the time and weather trend — improving, steady or worsening. Its flip-up LCD screen — showing 12/24 time, room temperature in °F or °C, calendar and weather trend. It has an LED backlight that illuminates briefly at a touch. The four-step progressive alarm wakes you gradually with the sound of church bells and the “super-snooze” feature allows you to add 10, 20 or 30 additional minutes of sleep.
The second device is a combination motion sensor/smoke detector. Hang it from a door, a window, a piece of luggage — anything you don’t want moved — and if disturbed, it sounds a loud 110-decibel alarm; if it detects smoke, a separate 110-decibel alarm will alert you.
The companion measures just 7 1/4″ x 2 3/4″ x 1 1/4″ and weighs 10 oz. when assembled for travel. It runs on one 9v and 4 AAA batteries (order separately). The product comes with a one-year warranty.
Programmable Electronic Name Plate — $35
A rotating display of name, title and message on a 6 1/4” L x 3/4” H LCD screen. Each of 3 screens holds up to 16 characters and stays on for 4 seconds. The back of the nameplate has clock, calendar and temperature display
Quiet Power Tie Rack — $59.95
With a new, smoother and more powerful motor, 72 of your ties glide quietly past you for easy selection. Touch the control bar to rotate left or right in one full revolution or press the stop button when you’ve reached your selection. A bright light helps you see true colors, then switches off after rotation stops.
The oval track holds 72 ties in a 5 1/4″ section of your closet pole. Four double hooks underneath hold belts and scarves increasing the hanging spaces to 80. It comes with hardware for easy mounting to wood shelving, closet rods or even metal closet systems. Adjustable rear stabilizer makes solid mounting a breeze. Requires four C batteries (order separately), or plug into any standard wall outlet using the AC adapter. One-year
Inspector, the Bug Collector — $69.95
Inspector Bug Collector helps get rid of flies, moths, mosquitoes and all kinds
of other unwanted flying-insect guests without any electric zaps or pops; without
any gooey adhesives; without any noxious poisons; simply plug in Sharper Image
Design’s Insector, The Bug Collector in your bedroom, your kitchen, your living
room. The blue light will lure flying insects toward a down-drafting fan that
pushes them into an inescapable trap in its base, where they perish naturally.
Cleanup is quick, easy and clean — just unscrew the base and empty the trap.
Insector comes with a sculptural profile and translucent blue color. Features
low and high fan speeds and comes with two easily changed bulbs — a super-bright
“white” blue light, for well-lit rooms; and a darker “black” blue light, for equally
effective use, but with less glare, in darkened rooms where you or your children
are sleeping. Extra bulb available (SI918). Measures 12 1/2″ tall and 8 1/4″ across.
Weighs 2 1/2 lbs. Plugs into wall outlet. One-year warranty. Created by Sharper
Image Design.
CD Shower Companion — $189.95
The CD Shower Companion is the only water-resistant CD player for use in the shower — with superior stereo sound from quality dual speakers. Just open the vertical compartment and place a CD inside. It will stay safe and dry behind the water-resistant sliding door — and you’ll enjoy the music. There is also AM/FM stereo shower radio with excellent reception, precise digital tuning and 10 stations.
Multipurpose Mouse Pad — $39.95
The upgraded black foam mouse pad ensures the most-used desktop tools are always right at your fingertips. Its 25-second digital voice recorder features built-in microphone and speaker for making a 25-second memo to yourself. The easy-to-read LCD screen shows 12/24-hour time locally and in 16 cities around the world at the push of a button. Also displays room temperature in °F or °C, and a 200-year calendar spanning the 20th and 21st centuries. The timer/alarm-clock function beeps or plays a pleasant melody, at your option. Hidden clip lets you adjust the length of the mouse cord. Runs on 4 AA batteries (order separately). Super-slim, compact device measures just 8 1/2″ x 11 1/3″ and only 3/4″ thick. 90-day warranty.
2.4 GHz Color Video Surveillance System — $439.95
This system’s tiny surveillance and security camera transmits a powerful 2.4 GHz signal to a 2.5″ TFT active matrix screen on an ultra-compact monitor over 300 feet away. Discreet camera has its microphone housed right by the tiny lens. The camera can rest on a shelf or tabletop and runs on 4 AA batteries (order separately). Receiver/monitor plugs in using included adapter. It measures 5″ x 2 1/2″ x 1 1/2″; receiver unit is 5 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ x 5″ and comes with a 90-day warranty.
Eye Trek — $799.95
Treat yourself to a total big-screen, surround-sound experience by plugging your VCR, DVD or satellite dish into the amazing Eye-Trek. Its free-shaped prisms with complex surface lenses allow the headset to be smaller while making the picture brighter.
Enjoy stereo surround sound using the tiny included ear buds that store safely in the templates when not in use. Use the wired controller to adjust the image’s color, contrast, balance-just like a regular TV. The Eye-Trek is great for getting the most out of your favorite movies without disturbing anyone — watch an enormous, sparkling image with mind-blowing surround sound while others sleep peacefully.
Eye-Trek glasses measure just 6 3/4″ x 2 1/4″ x 2″ when folded and weigh just 3 3/4 oz. Controller/adapter measures 5 3/4″ x 2 1/4″ x 1 1/2″ and weighs 5 1/2 oz. Comes with power cord and A/V cable. It plugs into wall outlet or runs on rechargeable battery and comes with one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Ionic Closet Drycleaner — $89.95
The new Ionic Closet Dry Cleaner is a clothes freshener that hangs in your closet and silently circulates natural ozone to gently neutralize odors in all kinds of fabrics, from delicate silks to heavy wools.
The Ionic Closet Dry Cleaner freshens clothes without expense, without wasting time and without damaging fabric.
The Ionic Closet Dry Cleaner circulates fresh air and ozone in total silence — without any moving parts — using exclusive patented Zenion Effect electrokinetic technology. It’s lightweight and portable: Hang it on your closet wall or from the clothes rod, or stand it on the floor or a shelf. Select Low for regular conditions; choose High for stronger odors, as with smoker’s clothing or in musty closets. A special Power Bust feature provides extra-fast removal of unpleasant smells. It runs 24 hours a day for about six months on 6 D batteries (order separately) or plugs into an outlet with an optional AC adapter. Measures 9″ x 7″ x 2 1/2″ and weighs 1 1/4 lbs. One-year warranty.
Compact Video Recorder — $25
Palm-sized recorder helps you remember meeting times and phone numbers. Save ideas and messages when you’re on the go. Press a button and your message is recorded on a microchip–no tape or moving parts to wear out. Messages can be saved forever or simply press BACK button to erase and re-record. Brookstone
Beverage Warmer — $20
Great for coffee, tea, hot chocolate, even soup. Contemporary design aluminum warmer fits any home or office decor. Red indicator light lets you know that it’s on. Brookstone.
