TEKD - All Technology News from TEKD

Never Miss a Skateboard Trick Again with Syrmo

You just pulled the perfect skateboard trick and no one was around to see it, leaving you with a, "so there I was" story. Syrmo skateboard tracker never misses a trick and is coming along for the ride on your next skate session. Syrmo is a motion tracker that discretely attaches like any riser pad between the deck and truck of your board. It uses Bluetooth to send information to a smartphone application and tracks stats like session time, number of tricks, airtime, pop force, height and distance. The application can then visually represent the data with a 3D rendering of the trick that you can show and share on [...]

iRing Offers Simple Touchless Mobile Device Music Control

Check It Out or Buy on Amazon (Paid Link) Most gesture control devices have targeted Bluetooth wireless communications, while others, like the new iRing, have gone basic using the mobile camera to provide affordable touchless control to mobile applications. iRing is a motion detection method that combines a two-sided ring and an app for your mobile device giving DJs and musicians touchless control of their MIDI programs. The ring is actually placed between the fingers so that the dot patterns on the ring are different on either hand. The application uses the device forward or rear camera to detect the position of the dot [...]

Touch-N-Fill Automates Coffee Machine Water Fills

My morning coffee might be the most important beverage I have all day so when it comes to making a fresh pot, anything that simplifies the process around the coffee machine and rushes that wonderful elixir to my mug, "perks" my interest. Touch-N-Fill is a convenience upgrade to most household coffee machines that automates filling the water reservoir. Touch-N-Fill uses a quick connect tee installed on your refrigerator's water line requiring only a pair of scissors to cut the line for installation. The system uses a control valve that monitors the amount of time the valve is open, closing when the fill is complete and it is adjustable to meet [...]

Mr. Beam Introduces DIY Laser Cutting and Engraving

Giving a gift that has a personal message engraved on it makes it that much more special, and maybe that piece of chocolate will deliver more than a smile. Mr. Beam cuts and engraves materials when creativity strikes adding personal touches to items right at home. Mr. Beam is a buildable DIY kit that uses a diode laser to cut materials or engrave objects with custom creative designs. The platform uses a Raspberry Pi interface supplying an Arduino Uno controller connected to a proprietary Mr. Beam Shield unit to drive the motors in precise movement. The base laser on the system is a 200mW red diode laser upgradable to a [...]

Affordable Home Security with a Korner System

Check It Out or Buy on Amazon (Paid Link) Home security systems are great if you can afford the equipment and subscription fees. Korner wants to change that dynamic giving everyone a low-cost option to feeling safe and secure in his or her own home. Korner is both affordable and easy to install giving anyone a security option to protect his or her home, office or any property. The system uses tags containing a motion sensor and wireless capabilities that are affixed to the corner of doors and windows. The second piece of the system is a FOB that plugs into a router port [...]

The Extreme BajaBoard Takes the Skateboard Off-Road

All vehicles provide some freedom and the most fun of those take us off the beaten path. Everything from the Jeep to the mountain bike has changed our off-road experience, and now it is the skateboard's turn. BajaBoard is an off-road electric mountain board that can power a rider down dirt paths or across fields at just over 30 miles per hour. Four independent RockShox shock absorbers in a double wishbone configuration provide the rider with stability on each of the all-terrain wheels with the suspension system actually designed to handle jumps. Power to the board comes from a removable lithium battery pack that feeds juice to each the three-kilowatt [...]

Smartphone-Sized JUMPR can Jumpstart a Car

Portable power is a lifesaver when a small mobile device like a phone or camera is running low on juice and with JUMPR, really big mobile devices can also get the power they need with a jumpstart. JUMPR is no bigger than a smartphone and packs enough power to jumpstart a dead car battery. Inside the metallic case is a 6,000 milliamp-hour lithium polymer battery that is capable of delivering twelve volts at a peak of 300 amps. With the included jumper cables, that gives JUMPR the ability to start almost all four- and six-cylinder engines. As impressive as that is, JUMPR will be of most use on an everyday [...]

Trinity Charges Mobile Devices Using Wind Power

Remote mobile device charging systems have usually focused on portable solar options or emergency power storage. Trinity is a new idea in charging that uses the power of the wind to create clean energy for any mobile device. Trinity is a portable fifteen-watt generator that charges an internal 15,000-milliamp hour battery using wind power to spin three blades. The system unfolds from a twelve-inch cylinder to a tripod supported personal windmill in just a few seconds. The legs are adjustable; laying completely flat depending on the location and in any configuration can be staked down for added stability. Mobile devices can be charged from a USB port on the end [...]

Replace Old Outlets with WallCharger and Power Everything

With USB charging becoming the preferred choice of providing power to mobile devices, it makes sense that the next smart home upgrade should be to change out your old wall outlets with a WallCharger. WallCharger is a standard outlet in every way except these outlets also have the ability to charge up your mobile devices without searching for a charger. Each outlet has two regular receptacles for plugging in appliances and two USB ports giving the outlet the advantage of being able to use both sockets when devices are charging. Each outlet carries the certifications needed in the countries where they can be installed with models available for residents of [...]