Products & Gadgets

A can that spies

For many technology fans, even a seemingly ordinary item can be turned into something unusual.

Brando has turned a soft drink can into a spying device with its new CanCam.

The CanCam has 4 GB worth of memory to record as much as 15 continuous hours of video.

The lens is located slightly below the logo. The on and off switches are located underneath the can itself, as is the "record" button. The logo and the bottom switches can be hidden with a cover, making it nearly impossible for others to identify this spy tool.

There is also a USB port to help charge the camera, and to download video footage.

It even has a remote control that resembles the remote control device for toy cars.

The CanCam can be purchased at the China Grabber website for a price of about $61.99.

Ties that makes music

People often regard the latest gadget as the result of new technology. But sometimes what's innovative is combining two old technologies - like neckties and recording tape.

Sonic Fabric Neckties are made of 50 percent recorded audio-cassette tape and 50 percent colored thread. The most impressive part is that these ties can actually make music.

You will need to rip apart an old Walkman audiocassette tape player. Free the player head from the player and then rub it over the fabric. With a headphone, you'll hear snatches of music from the tape that's now part of a tie.

This necktie contains the designer's own music, a soundscape of samples grabbed from the New York City metro system. The ties are priced at about $90.

Keep it fresh

More technology gadgets are showing up in the kitchen. A new Bagel dome advertises that it will keep your baked goods fresher for longer periods of time.

The product, which uses a vacuum to suck out air, works for pastries, bagels, cakes and other perishables.

To activate the seal, you just push a button at the top that starts the vacuum.

The dome requires two C batteries. You can purchase it for $39.98 from Taylor Gifts.

Stop the snoring

No one likes being the one no one wants to sleep around.

Here's a new product designed to slow down the frequency and level of your snoring.

The Snore Stopper has a sensitive micro-sound detector that will detect when you're snoring.

Once it does that, it will send a very mild electronic signal to your wrist. This consequently changes your sleeping position to stop you from snoring.

The Snore Stopper won't wake you like other anti-snoring devices or cause any damage to your body.

You can purchase the gadget for $36 from Amazon.com.

Digital nails

For girls who like painting their fingernails, the Barbie Digital Nail Printer will do it without a bottle of polish.

As part of Mattel's new line of products called "beautronics", this Nail Printer is designed to print images directly onto your fingernails using thermal inkjet technology and specially formulated cosmetic-grade ink.

Just insert your finger into the machine, and a digital camera inside transmits an image of your fingernail to the computer.

With the included Barbie software you can select from more than 1,000 designs and even see a preview of your choice.

It takes about 10 seconds to 15 seconds to apply an image to each fingernail.

It is being sold through Amazon.com for $264.99.

(China Daily 11/16/2009 page4)