B5 Network - Tech, Gadgets and Weird Things

What comes to your mind first when you hear the word “gadget”? Most probably the concept of an extremely cool piece of electronics with a limited number of “real” uses (for this post, let’s assume that “being/looking cool” is not a “real” use (even though it is)). So, sometimes, when a dull ignorant idiot someone that isn’t much into gadgets asks you why exactly do you need it, you can find it a little hard to explain (you shouldn’t even bother - the idiots outsiders will never understand).

However, this is one gadget that can be appreciated by everyone - from a gadget lover to the dull idiot that lives next door your neighbour. Turbo Flame is UK’s leading brand of outdoor lighter manufacturers. And their lighters are simply awesome.

Well, actually, it resembles a blowtorch more than a lighter. And that is the main part of their coolness - you can really use it like a blowtorch. The official website states that they can be used to weld soft metals and glass - ain’t that cool. Perfect for destroying public property err…household work.

Of course, they will do the usual lighter work just fine - a 1300 degree Celsius flame is more than enough to surpass an ordinary lighter. Also, it’s completely wind and water proof - this makes it the ultimate lighter for any outdoor trips.

There is just one tiny problem - their official website doesn’t offer the chance to buy online. So, you better find some stores using google.

Most of these models come under 10 GBP (10 GBP ~ 20 USD).
Visit their official website.

This is a tool worthy of having for all computer users - a USB vacuum cleaner. It is extremely small, designed to allow you to reach otherwise unreachable places (like under the keys in your keyboard). It even comes with two cleaning attachments and two power levels - so it’s almost more of a household appliance than a gadget. Still, appliances aren’t usually USB powered.

Of course, you have to realize that this tiny thing doesn’t pack as much power as it’s big brothers. But as I’ve said, for small tasks that the big brothers can’t do (reaching in tight places), this should be more than enough.

Speaking about design - it’s awesome. Comfortable hold, smooth, metal surface, and LED lights - way stylish.

All of this for only £7.95 - really cheap. Get it here.

When you were little, you might have had a rubber ducky among your bath toys. Definitely a classical item. It’s one of the not so many things that have survived up until now and hasn’t lost it’s popularity.

However, times change, kids get more and more spoiled, and if toys don’t change with times, they are like sitting ducks - just waiting to disappear. However, it seems that Funky Ducks, the latest reincarnation of the classical rubber ducky, have no plans of disappearing.

From outside, they look like a pair of white, approximately 9 cm long rubber ducks. However, you just need to hit the switch at the base, and the color changing LEDs hidden inside the toy will deliver an outstanding light show. Just imagine how spectacular it would be in complete darkness - especially, considering the reflections from water and the walls.

These ducks are sold as a pair (each of them needs two replaceable batteries). The price for a pair is £6.99 - that’s relatively cheap. You can buy them here.

For some reason people are amazed when they see a talking bird (parrot). It is unclear to me what’s so great about a bird that can say “Polly wants a cracker” because it knows that there’s a treat for it after it completes the words. That’s why I think this is a great gadget - you want the parrot to say something? - okay, it will say something, but don’t regret making it talk afterwards.

Presenting a wonderful invention, the cursing parrot. This little stuffed toy bird may look like a toy, but inside, there’s a motion sensor, that triggers it’s prerecorded dictionary of not-so-nice words. It’s a sure way to leave your guests speechless.

The parrot itself looks pretty good. Even if the 4 AA batteries that power it get drained, and you have no spare ones, you can leave it like a nice decoration.

EVIL IDEA: Let’s say a member of your family invites some guests over - guests with little kids. All you need to do is hint them that the parrot toy talks, and that kids love it. All of those idiots guests will drag their kids to hear the talking parrot. All that is left for you is to retire to a nice observation point and watch the show. However, don’t expect for a reaction from the kids - nowadays, small kids can curse a lot better than some mechanized bird.

Get it here for 15.99$ - an acceptable price for an item that has so many uses.

Do you still remember those old cartoons where someone would launch some chattering teeth, and it would scare everyone to the point where they all start screaming? For me, the first time I saw this was in a Tom&Jerry cartoon I think. Well, while I don’t see what’s so scary about some teeth, this is truly a collector’s item. And now you can have one too!

These teeth seem to be an exact copy of the ones used in cartoons. All you need to do is use the included special key to wind them up, and release them to spread the terror.

The teeth don’t exactly look like they were taken out from a dead body, so I really don’t see anything that can be scary in this toy. Furthermore, I am sure that if you’re not one to scream and run at the very first sight, a second sight will probably give away that the teeth look an awful lot like they were made of plastic.

However, the price seems fair - only $3.49. I suggest you get a few of those, because you have a risk of loosing them in a human stampede they can cause (or you may loose them because some people have no sense of humor and just don’t appreciate a good joke.).

Available here

If you would go to the nearest store and look at their party supplies display, I am sure you would find party cannons - you know, those sticks that let out a measly “POW!” and fire some coloured aluminum foil when you twist the bottom of them. Of course you know. Everyone knows - it’s no longer something that surprises people. In other words - it’s useless, old news, junk, etc.

However, there is always room for improvement - and there really are improved versions of it. One of them is the Rose Party Surprise. Instead of a flock of foil (that most people want to clean away as soon as possible) this one fires artificial rose-scented petals (I think most people won’t mind having those on their floors). Very romantic - perfect for weddings, Valentine’s day (stupid celebration), or the school prom night - the sky ’s the limit. It may not be suitable for a party though (do your party guests get sprinkled with roses oftenly?).

There are some things I don’t like about his though. First one is the claim on the product page that the product “will shoot the rose petals up to 10 meter” - it’s too much for such a small amount of compressed air.

The second one is the price - $41.00 is surely a great amount to pay for one shot. However, you can’t deny the coolness factor.

Found at bimbambanana (strange name, eh?).

After you’ve annoyed your neighbours and co-workers to the point where they want your head on a silver plate, challenge them to a boxing match. If you did your job (being a pain in the a**) well, they will gladly accept the offer.

Now, if you friend/co-worker reminds you of a caveman carrying around a stick (baseball bat for our times), a fair fight might not be very fair - to you that is. If you went one-on-one, you would end up in the hospital.

The solution - inflatable boxing gloves. If the person you annoyed manages to stop laughing from seeing himself/herself in such a weird getup, you will have a nice, fearsome boxing match (good luck trying to hurt each other). In any case, I don’t think anyone could hold grudges after such fun.

For some reason, the complect involves not only two pairs of gloves, but also two inflatable helmets - probably to stop you from cracking each other’s skulls (the question is - how do you manage to do that anyway?). You get a pair of gloves and a helmet in black, and a second pair and a helmet in silver.

WARNING: NOT FOR USE AROUND PEOPLE WITH CAMERAS, CAMERA PHONES, CAMCORDERS OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT CAN TAKE PICTURES OR RECORD VIDEOS. YOU SERIOUSLY DON’T WANT TO HAVE SUCH A PICTURE OF YOU FLOATING AROUND IN ALL OF YOUR OFFICES COMPUTERS (OR A MOVIE OF YOU IN YOUTUBE).

Get them here.

What’s the most surefire way to annoy people? How about you try showing them your family pictures.?Annoying as hell, but you have to be polite and bear with it. The next time some idiot friend or colleague pulls out a bunch of pictures from his/her wallet, you need to strike first. If you use your wallet for something other than pictures (for example, money), you can have your pictures on your cellphone/pocket PC/etc. But your idiot friend or colleague might a swell be doing the same. Why not be a little more stylish than they are?

My suggestion for this is the digital picture key ring. It’s design is pretty nice - you can’t get more stylish or smaller for viewing pictures. It has 8 MB of internal memory, can display pictures in a continuous slide show, and the total “on” time is 2.5 hours.

Now for the bad part - the screens resolution is only 108 x 80 - not much. At least you get included software (for PCs and Macs) to crop and edit your images.

The digital picture key ring comes with a USB cord for uploading pictures. The small image size seems to be it’s only lousy quality. For me, it’s beaten by it’s size, style and having everything included.

Get it here.