Solar bags find it's not easy being green

The merits of solar-paneled bags transcend mere fashion, of course, but we're still surprised at how long it's taking for these green-conscious accessories to find their true aesthetic value. Try as they might, too many of them simply can't shake the look of chicken-wire siding or some other material that might seem more appropriate for a prison yard.

As seen with other products, the subtly named Solar Energy Purse absorbs ultraviolet rays to power any number of gadgets inside, with a backup battery for those rainy days. Despite this undeniable usefulness, as Boing Boing says, it still looks like it's made from "cut-up bits from your grandfather's old belts and velour loungewear". Harsh, but fair. Especially because they could have hired that student from Iowa State University who designed the Power Purse.

Via Crave CNET

iChime--another way to drive neighbors nuts

The doorbell may be the next ringtone. Already we've seen a way to customize the otherwise boring chime with your own MP3s, and now there's more elaborate hardware coming out to match this ill-advised home accessory.

The iChime is a unit that can be programmed to play either a choice of about 50 preloaded songs and sounds or your own tunes, tranferred from an iPod or computer. (Just a wild guess, but you'll probably want the latter.)

Gizmodiva says all it takes is an easy two-wire replacement, though we're skeptical given our all-thumbs approach to home improvement. Then again, if you could program it to match the Star Trek horn in the car, it might all be worth it.

Via Crave CNET

A glove that could save your life

Prodded by the aging Boomer population, wearable exercise monitors have themselves boomed in recent years. But the obvious discomfort of wearing a monitor against the chest has pushed manufacturers to devise other scenarios--sometimes as far away from the heart as possible in the body's extremities.

The Mark of Fitness MF-180" exercise monitor is one such example, keeping track of the body's performance through a fingertip. Not only does it measure the heart rate, Red Ferret says, but its built-in LCD will also display goals, calories burned, and recovery rates. All this was integrating into a glove to keep the technology fixed in one place and avoid the need to carry various gadgets in pockets. It's also touted as being "transmitter free", so you needn't worry that it will go haywire and make you double your treadmill speed when someone turns on the microwave.

Via CNET Crave

A flashlight that will give you CPR

Coincidentally, this appeared after I'd sounded out the HR department on the possibility of a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course for the office staff. One must admit to being relieved that there's never been a need to use CPR since, honestly, if someone were to collapse in front of me, I'd be at a loss. So it's great to know there's a Talking CPR Flashlight (US$35.98) out there, however ridiculous this may sound. Thought you won't feel so silly toting it when a real emergency does pop up. So yes, this step-by-step wizard that will voice instructions in a (very importantly) calm, cool female voice is a boon--and a godsend for the recipient given the kiss of life. There's even a Pause button in case you're too overwrought to listen carefully to the crucial information. That said, there's nothing like sign on for a proper CPR course to complement this portable helpmate.

Via Ubergizmo | Picture credit: Full of Life

Play games on the visor (if you're not driving)

As impressive as the GPS Bluetooth rear-view mirror may be, its functions are pretty boring for the most part. At least, that's how it looks when compared with something like this multimedia visor.

Other visors with built-in TVs and DVD players have been around for awhile, but this one is out of control--which, by the way, is exactly what the driver would be if he gets distracted by it. Even though it's on the passenger side, there's no way to completely ignore a visor that lets you play games on its 7-inch LCD and comes with two gamepad controllers with an assortment of retro titles, according to Newlaunches.

It also plays DVDs and CDs, of course, as well as MP3s and MP4 videos, all for US$100. But remember, the cost will escalate in a hurry when you throw in traffic tickets, let alone the fender damage.

Via Crave CNET

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