Stay on the diet with a fridge photo frame

The preponderance of digital photo frames has been a standard rant in this space, and for good reason. Not only are they overproduced and overmarketed in every iteration, from keychains to cubes, but they can also be found in practically every size imaginable.

Yet here's one that may prove to be a good idea despite its original pedestrian concept: A tiny digital magnet for the refrigerator door. Rather than having a virtually useless display all of 2.4 inches and 320 x 240 resolution, we've got a far more practical application. If you're trying to lose weight, you can post photos of your most unflattering depictions as a deterrant to the munches. Or, if you're an optimist, you can program a slide show to track your progress as you shrink down to a manageable size.

And if that doesn't keep you from ripping the door off its hinges, there's always the Fridge Alert as a second line of defense.

Via Crave CNET | Picture credit: Thumbs Up UK

A Wi-Fi umbrella that Google Earth would love

Here's another wacky umbrella to add to the brolly count. By wacky, we mean Tokyo wacky. So it may be that only the Japanese would appreciate the Pileus WiFi Camera Umbrella which sports a built-in camera, GPS, digital compass, and possibly video-recording in a next iteration. Never mind that all that gadgetry could turn this brolly into an instant lightning rod.

And the Wi-Fi? If you're lucky not to get fried and manage to find a hotspot, you can upload your snaps to Flickr, then very coolly browse the photos on the inner flaps just by "a snap of your wrist". Though, not to be a wet blanket again, curious passers-by probably won't thank you for flicking more rain water on them with that action. Oh, and one more thing: Watch that rain puddle while you're busy showing off.

Via Shiny Shiny | Photo credit: Sharper Edge

UFOCap: Stay dry, look dumb

We've seen our fair share of weird umbrellas. There's one with music, another with nano-technology and the one most recently featured on CNET Asia, the nubrella, which is really a transparent dome over the head. Well, here's another one, the UFOCap.

This Korean product is a cross between the humble umbrella and a raincoat. It makes perfect sense. Instead of mounting it on the head, having it at the shoulder will protect your body more effectively against angled raindrops.

The honesty of its name is commendable, given that you'll look more like alien than human using it. What we really want to see is someone trying to scratch his head while using it. It'll look like one of those dogs attempting to scratch itself with a cone over its head.

Via Notcot | Picture credit: UFOCap

Is the time right for watch phones?

Maybe there's something to this latest watch phone trend after all. Barely a day after posting an item about a model that didn't send people rushing for the vomitoria, we see that another one has surfaced to pique our interest.

The WM2 from Netherlands-based Van Der Led (we'd never heard of them either) has come up with an innovative solution to the obvious challenge of limited real estate on such gadgets, embedding a keypad on the wristband.

Other specs include Bluetooth, 1GB of built-in storage, 300 minutes of talk time, and 240 hours on standby, according to Dvice. You can also use it as a media player because it can handle MP3s and even video files, though we wouldn't recommend trying to watch them on its 1.3-inch screen unless they're about a flea circus.

Via Crave CNET

Cyclists may get a hand (and arm) with safety

Although automobiles have countless safety devices and technologies, there are relatively few for bicycles by comparison. And that makes little sense when you look at the global trends, which will only increase in coming years with the growth of green initiatives.

That shortcoming inspired London design student Michael Chen to come up with a concept for a jacket he calls the Reactiv (that's right, there's no "e" at the end--it's not at typo or some weird British spelling). Using an accelerometer to track movement, the high-tech garment has LEDs on the sleeves that change colors depending on the cyclist's actions--such as green for acceleration, red for braking, and flashing amber for turns, according to Pocket-lint. The design has won a James Dyson Award from the foundation of the same name that's dedicated to inspirating design innovation.

The Reactiv jacket is only a concept at present, but Chen hopes to make a reality in production. In the meantime, there's always the Bicygnals.

Via Crave CNET | Picture credit: Pocket-Lint

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