Five gadgets you cannot live without - maybe
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Five cool gadets that you must have - Or must you?
In my opinion, by far and away the majority of the electronic gadgets on the market are a complete and utter waste of time. Most of them seem to have been made for the sole purpose of persuading you that your old one is out of date and needs to be replaced with something “new.”
But, occasionally something comes out that is genuinely different and fulfills a genuine need. I am not going to cover the Apple iPhone, because that should be on the list, but so much has been written about it – I don’t think I could say anything new. There are also a few here that I completely fail to see a need for.
The Amazon Kindle
This actually works. No matter what the advertising, it is not quite the same as reading from a paper book, but used correctly it could actually save some damage to the environment and if you have to carry a lot of books around – say on an airplane, it could help there as well.
I doubt it will take off in a big way, but if it does, there are some issues to be considered that make me wonder. First of all, you can say goodbye to all those used book stores and it will be awfully difficult to lend a book to a friend if all your books are in one place on a Kindle. The same issues that are arising now with the recording industry trying to control how you use music and videos that you “own,” will arise with this in the future. Do I really want to be told who I can lend my books to? – No, I don’t think so. So, as you can see, I have not quite made my mind up yet. I like the idea of doing away with paper and all the costs associated with it, but I do not like the idea of giving some company control over me.
Dyson DC18 Vacuum Cleaner
Now, you might be saying – “What the hell’s he doing talking about vacuum cleaners?”
But, I used to own one similar to this, and I can tell you – these things are all but indestructible. Seriously, this is the sort of thing you will be able to pass on to your kids. It makes much more sense to me to buy something that will last forever than it does to buy something that needs replacing every two years. There is nothing exciting about vacuum cleaners but to hear the usual rubbish from most of the makers is annoying. It’s a tool – a time saving tool, nothing else. All I want is it to pick dirt up and last a long time.
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Dyson DC18 Slim All-Floors Cyclone Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Price: $409.00
List Price: $469.00 |
The Rubbish
So that is a couple that are worth buying. Here are a few that make me laugh
The Hug Shirt from cutecircuit
Time magazine thought this was one of the best inventions of 2006. Good grief – it is a shirt that replicates the feel of someone’s hug when they phone you. It works by being connected to a Bluetooth phone and having heat pads in it that replicate the hug by getting warmer. What happens if they are phoning to have an argument – does it beat you up?
What a complete and utter waste of time and resources. I cannot imagine why on earth anyone would invent this or buy one. I have never seen one in the flesh, so I assume every one else thinks the same way.
iTouchless Trash Can
These are probably my favorite garbage gadgets (pun intended) – A hands-free stainless steel automatic trash can. No, it doesn’t recycle the garbage. No, it doesn’t decompose the garbage. In fact, all it does is open the lid when you get your hand within six inches by using an infrared sensor. According to the makers, it creates a “germ free, odor free,” environment. Just quite how it is supposed to do that is beyond me, because you still have to empty the thing. It never ceases to amaze me the way companies create completely useless things that serve almost no purpose – and we are daft enough to buy them. If you are daft enough, there is a link to Amazon here – at least I’ll get a few cents commission. They have loads of different ones – I had no idea there were so many “automatic” trash cans available.
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iTouchless Stainless-Steel Hands-Free 13-Gallon Infrared Automatic Trash Can
Price: $56.04
List Price: $99.00 |
The Pet Step from Pro idee
Pro idee is a British gadget company that seem to devote all their attention to selling unnecessary rubbish. I was hard pushed to pick one from their selection, but the Sofa Guard – a device that sets off a 105 decibel alarm if your cat jumps on the sofa in the middle of the night, and the vibrating pillow came close. I settled for this “Pet Step” – a fiber glass, reinforced plank that will set you back about $140 plus postage. So, if it’s too much trouble to persuade your dog to jump into the back of the car, this is for you. And I love the fact that they have a young healthy looking dog with a young, healthy looking woman owner.
I guess you could make the argument that some really old dogs with very infirm owners might just get some use from this, but my thinking is - If you are incapable of lifting your dog into the car and the dog is too old to get in itself, what are you doing driving in the first place?Not nearly as bad as some of the new kitchen gadgets I see littering the sales pages of Amazon lately - but still.
More gadgets you probably can't live without
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Canon 2400 SLR Gadget Bag for EOS SLR Lens Cameras NEW
Current Bid: $39.99
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SEIKO GADGET AUTOMATIC DIVER ATLAS WATCH 200M SKZ211
Current Bid: $169.49
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NEW TOMMY BAHAMA PARADISE GREEN GADGET BAG $100 VALUE
Current Bid: $29.95
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GADGET GIFT MATCH BOX LIGHTER LITES 15000 TIMES
Current Bid: $2.58
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Nikon Digital SLR Camera Lens Case DSLR Gadget Bag NEW
Current Bid: $29.95
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Match lighter Petrol Gas Oil Cigar Key Ring gadget Gift
Current Bid: $5.28
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Comments
Hehe - it is only good for 100,000 openings so a typical 2 year old could probably wear it out in a couple of days - how could you resist? LOL
Wait a minute...you are saying we should buy things that last? What a novel concept (yes, dripping with sarcasm).
I also like the idea of the Amazon Kindle. I love the idea of less paper production and waste. But, I cannot let go of my good, worn, lovely books.
I feel the same way - I really like the idea of getting rid if the waste, but when I think about how many used books I have bought and the amount of books I have lent or borrowed, I wonder if this is a good idea. Also, I really don't like the idea of being controlled the way the recording industry is trying to control people - and I know it will happen.
We really need a sarcastic smilie :)
I like th itouch trash can, but I think my dogs can live without the pet steps... Currently, anyway. The oldest is only 10lbs and can be picked up. The other 2 are over 50lbs but currently young and healthy enough to jump into a car without any help. Maybe one day though.
Hehe, well, if it gets to the point where you need it, I suggest a plank LOL
Mark,
I don't think the Amazon Kindle would work for me. I hate waste and want to protect our environment, but I guess I am too much of a romantic. I like the way paper pages feel, the way they smell, and the sound they make when I turn them. Reading a book made of natural materials takes on a soul when you read it, that's why I have to keep so many of them.
Hi Ana - Like I said, I am in two minds - I want to help reduce waste, but I am not sure this is the answer. And you are right - It's not quite the same on a screen.
Yes Mark we must have! i love the Hug Shirt..
A plank sounds like a perfect replacement. lol..
LOL - I think so - that thing is £67.50 PLUS SHIPPING - RIDICULOUS.
I like the idea of the rubbish tin, until you mentioned the emptying. Twice a day. No thanks I let it go. The others I will do without. i like genuine books too much
Thank you
LOL Thanks Mr. M - It's a pretty useless thing.
Interesting picture on the Pet Step photo, from all of the (photoshop generated) smoke behind them, it appears that they're evacuating the city because its on fire. At least that's what came to my mind. :)
LOL - Either that or they are in heaven - that's their actual promo pic. Silly or what?
When a trash can can empty itself and carry the contents to the dumpster, then I'll be impressed.
I am pretty sure they have those too :) It's called a maid :)
Could you imagine being in the middle of a really exciting chapter, then BANG. Poof. A message: please log on to renew subscription. That's right, no more reading. Crap. It wouldn't happen with a book.
I don't buy new books, but only used. I keep the ones I love and give away the ones that are great. I like to think I'm not being wasteful because I'm using and reusing, and trying not to be the reason why brand new versions are printed.
Wasn't the Jetson's maid named Rosie? She could do all of that.
LOL Although I have noticed a disturbing new trend with books - You are reading, look at how much you have left to go and think you are good then Wham! it ends and there is 25 pages of the next book at the end - that annoys the life out of me.:)
About the dog ramp, my sentiment too Mark.
Great HUB regards Zsuzsy
Thanks Zsuzsy - I am not sure which one is more useless really
I'm with you on the Kindle; although in theory it is a brilliant and fantastic device, I think that it could take away some of the "magic" from a good old book. Books have a sense of life in them, at least in my eyes; to read a book is to not only consider the words but consider the words in the context of being a whole package. Turning the pages of a good book is a kind of sensual and transcendant experience, and most of this experience would be lost in the translation to devices like the Kindle.
I agree- I am still out on that decision - I like the idea, but.....
Actually the pet step has some appeal - I had an elderly labrador - who couldn't get in the back of the hatch anymore - I'm pretty fit - but lifting a 25kg unhappy lab - is quite hard on the back - its harder than lifting a box of books weighting the same - probably because the books dont care if dropped! I once saw a lady trying to get a sleepy st bernard into her car - it was at an airport - he was apparently still sedated having just flowen and when a st bernard wants to sleep - you need 3 strong men to lift him!
LOL - I am still recommending a wooden plank. :) What amused me (apart from the whole idea) was the ad.
Interesting stuff. I am considering the iPhone. I have a Treo now. I can vouch for the Dyson. It is amazing what the pet hair model (our model) picks up. I am amazed at the volume and diversity of hubs you put out. You are Stephen King of Hub writing.
Thanks. I don't know about the Treo I'm afraid.
I'm could live without any gadgets as long as I have a cave, some flint, and a bow and arrow.
The trash can could work in a public restroom where consumers don't have to worry about emptying it! That would save me from using paper towels to open the restroom door.
LOL _ You would still need the towel to open those stupid restroom doors that open IN.
gosh mark, how could anyone replace the rows upon rows of books.the new the old and the colourful, all full of amazing adventures and dreams-and replace them with a single cold lifeless object that can be shoved in a drawer out of site-how soon i wonder will the shelves be refilled.
i do like the coffee gizmo, my coffee is always going cold.
My thoughts exactly. Good luck with the reheated coffee :) The trick is to take time out to drink it :)
That trash can is my favorite toy. It drives my house guests crazy. They walk by it and it opens up. Kids wave their hands at it. I love it, but my cleaning lady hates it, (she is very non-mechanical and she always gets the top turned around, or stuck open or closed).
I can't believe you actually bought that trash can lol :D
Dude, on Hub pages, I may be a religious nut, but behind the shield, I'm all geek! Of course, I did't buy it from your link (sorry!)
Great hub, as usual, Mark. I actually got the Kindle 2, even though I originally had no desire to get a Kindle at all... I don't think it could ever replace real books for me; my book collection is really all I have, and it makes me feel like I've accomplished something.
Even so, I travel a lot, so being able to throw such a tiny device into my bag and be good to go for all the reading material I could ever want is GREAT. Plus, you can download a new book within 60 seconds with the 3G connection. Really it's just great for heavy travelers. Flying or taking trains at the end of your trip with a bag full of heavy books you've already read... It's just exhausting.
@ BDazzler - LOL And the two go together how? :)
@ Helena - I am sure they are useful, I would just hate to give up real books :(
Dysons are great - we've had ours for ages, and it's absolutely no hassle.
My son would adore that bin. He has great fun on trains with automatic doors....
I figure a typical 3 year old could wear it out in about a week :)
Yes, it could get extremely expensive, and irritating beyond belief.
PCaholicDotCom says:
2 years ago
mark... gotta have that trash can! But my 16 month old son would be there all day opening and closing it though lol ~Peter