Looxcie wearable camcorderIt may look like the sort of Bluetooth hands-free earpiece favoured by taxi drivers and others happy to appear to be talking aloud to themselves, but it is, in fact, a wearable video camera. Bit of a hint in the name I guess. However, there's much more to the Looxcie (look-see, see?) than just capturing an ear-cam view of the world.
This is a camcorder made for sharing footage, for social media such as Facebook and YouTube. It lets you share clips instantly through an Android smartphone or iPhone, literally at a single press of a button if you’ve set it up. So when some unexpected incident unfolds in front of you, you have it up on the web before the paramedics arrive. Or you can do it later from your desktop.
This is all predicated on you having a social network, needless to say. If you’re old school e-mail only, then maybe this is simply a hands-free videocam for where you’d usually stick a pencil. So great for family adventures, such as ski hols or those don’t want-to-miss-a-moment outings.
Of course, the thing about unexpected incidents is that you, em, don’t expect them. The bloke has fallen in the hole or the dog has driven the car off before you even get your camera phone out.
With the Looxcie however, you can be ready every second of the day with an “always-on” function that literally records everything in a five-hour loop, continuously. Never miss a trick, especially one that might go wrong spectacularly.
There are various settings for the picture resolution and you can use a Bluetoothed-up phone to preview what your Looxcie sees.
Cost$180 (€125) from looxcie.com, with $30 (€20) off if you "Like" them on Facebook
HoodieBuddieTangilitis: HoodieBuddies have positioned themselves to cure it. You know, when you pull a set of earphones out of your pocket or bag and the knot fairies have rightly gnarled you up into what's now a rubbery ball of cable. By the time you've unpicked it, your nerves are as wound up as the wires were. And your journey's over.
Their answer is to weave the headphone cords into the fabric and have the earbuds emerge where the neck drawstrings usually do. In the HoodieBuddie’s pocket, you’ll find the standard 3.5mm jack for virtually all MP3 payers, portable games and even many phones, certainly music ones. And your hoodie’s completely washable.
HoodieBuddie’s HB3 technology is available in a range of styles and colours, even T-shirts, if you’re in your post-hoodie phase.
CostAbout $45 (€31) depending on style, from hoodiebuddie.com
ArchPort Flip Flops It’s the beach or poolside conundrum: where to stash a few valuables when you’re travelling light. Sure, some might have a bag, but that’s virtually got a “rob-me” sticker on it.
ArchPort Flip Flopshave a hidden storage compartment in the thick, arch-support (yeah) sole. It'll take keys, credit cards, cash, all in a customised wallet that slips into the sole and then is sealed over and hidden away.
The material’s waterproof, but obviously you wouldn’t want to leap into the drink if you want to keep your dosh dry. (Unless you’re like a friend of mine who recently admitted that he has jumped into the same swimming pool on two different holidays with a new iPhone in his shorts pocket.)
Comes in women’s and men’s sizes.
Cost$55 (€38), from archport.com