ERASCAN CAN SCAN!

The designers explain, “The design consists of an LCD screen to show the scanned information during the erasing process. It also displays a simple menu allowing the user to select other functions. Navigation control buttons are located below the LCD screen. The letter “e” and the light pipe around the device light up to show that Erascan is in power mode.”

Erascan is a whiteboard eraser that scans the written matter on the board while erasing and saves it onto an inbuilt memory chip. The idea is to keep a digital copy of the drawings or notes handy for future reference. The device is programmed to automatically recognize handwriting, identify emails and web URLs. What’s more, it can share the saved data via email wirelessly!

Vortex-The code teacher

Vortex Is A Toy Robot That Teaches Kids How To Code

DFRobot, a company that has been building robots for the education market since 2008, this week introduced its first attempt at making a robot accessible to all children, with the debut of Vortex – an interactive, programmable robot aimed at kids 6 and up. The Vortex robot pairs with iOS and Android smartphones or tablets over Bluetooth, and lets kids control its movement by tapping the screen in the Vortex app to initiate commands. It also comes four free, pre-programmed games – “bumping fight,” “virtual golf,” “driving,” and “robot soccer,” which can later be customized by the child to create their own play experience.

According to DFRobot’s CEO Ricky Ye, the company wanted to build a robot that would make learning robotics fun for younger children. The team already had plenty of experience building robot kits for schools and teachers, he notes, so it was able to leverage what had historically been the most popular elements used in classes and competitions when designing the new robot toy.

The Vortex itself is easy to use, notes Ye. After loading it up with four AA batteries, you just download the Vortexbot app from the App Store and begin to play. Some of its games – like “bumping fight” or “soccer” – require an additional robot toy, so would be better for families with more than one child. Others can be played independently, or allow kids to compete against the robot AI.

When kids are ready to program the robot, parents can download the WhenDo app from the App Store, which offers a variety of tutorials that will make it easy for kids to practice programming basics while customizing their games. However, while the WhenDo app has a simplified drag-and-drop interface as many learn-to-code programs today offer, it’s not something the average six-year could likely master without a parent’s help. That said, for a bright, adept child, it’s the kind of app they could learn to better use oIn addition, Vortex is open-source and is compatible with Arduino and Scratch, allowing kids to program the Vortex from a PC or Mac computer.

The robot itself can navigate obstacles, detect lines and report back by using infrared, grey scale, and sound speakers.

Gadgets that float ! Just waterproof is outdated !

THE WALKIE TALKIES | Cobra CXT 1035R FLT

With a rated range of 37 miles, these unsinkable gabbers can keep you in touch with your buddies at a swimming hole the next county over. Bonuses: a built-in LED flashlight, and NOAA Weather and emergency-radio receivers to keep you safely in-the-know when you’re venturing into the backwoods. $100, cobra.com

THE SPEAKER | Monster SuperStar BackFloat

When you drop this Bluetooth speaker into the water, it’ll rise to the surface and settle with its speaker facing up—all the better to disperse sound. A bewitching feature: Any liquid that happens to pool on the surface of the speaker will jump in sync with the music you’re playing. $150, monsterproducts.com

THE CAMCORDER | JVC Everio GZ-R3

This compact HD model is buoyant and rugged. You can safely take it to depths of 16.4 feet—and even subject it to a 4.9-foot drop on land. Digital image stabilization will steady any long tracking shots as you’re shooting in flash rainstorms or while you dive into the pool. $400, camcorder.jvc.com20

Elephone P6i

Elephone P6i Android 4.4.2 13MP Cam 5"QHD Screen,1GB RAM Mobile

Specifications

		Type:	Touch
Model:	P6i	Operating System:	Android
Sim Type:	Dual Sim(GSM + WCDMA)	Brand:	Elephone
Features:	3G, Bluetooth, Dual Core, Email, GSM, HD Recording, Internet Browser	Camera:	13.0 MP
Warranty:	Manufacturer Warranty	Capacity:	4 GB
Duration:	1 year

Detailed item info

Product Identifiers Brand Elephone Model P6i Colour White Capacity 4 GB Key Features Type Smartphone Cellular Band GSM 850/900/1800/1900 HSDPA 850/2100 Style Touch Screen Size 5 in. Operating System Android Display Technology IPS Digital Camera Camera 13.0 MP Display Display Size 540 x 960 Features Features Dual Sim Dimensions Height 14.4 cm Width 7.23 cm Depth 0.76 cm Weight 158 g

NEC VE281 Mobile Projector

NEC’s VE281 mobile projector is designed to provide high brightness for small-to-medium-sized businesses, education environments, corporate conference rooms and mobility applications where heavy ambient light is present but the space requires a small projector. This lightweight model includes 3D-ready technology, high-contrast images and a powerful 7W speaker. Its automated technologies — from Auto Power On and quick startup/shutdown to a lamp life up to 6000 hours — make it an eco-friendly choice. The VE281 offers the Intelligent Driving Scheme (IDS2) for increased lamp life and contrast.

Cost: $339

Photo iPad Scanning Dock

This is the scanner that saves treasured photos directly to an iPad while it docks and charges the device. Controlled by a free app, the sheet-fed scanner makes it simple to preserve and share heirloom photos and documents as digital files. In as little as 12 seconds, a photo is converted to a crisp 300- or 600-dpi color JPEG image that is displayed on screen in real time and saved to the iPad’s camera roll. The integrated dock holds the iPad upright and has a built-in Lightning connector that recharges its battery in five hours. Scans sheets up to 8 1/2" x 14". Plugs into AC with your iPad’s USB power adapter. For iPad 4, iPad Mini, and iPhone 5/s/c running iOS 6.0 or later. 4 1/2" H x 13" W x 4" D. (1 3/4 lbs.)

Cost: $169.95

WOWee One Slim

The WOWee One Slim is a compact portable speaker unit which provides a full range frequency response. It is intended for use as both a fixed and portable solution for all iPod, iPad, mp3, mp4, mobile phone and computer applications. It uses the same hybrid technology as the WOWee ONE and produces an incredible bass sound with a 40Hz - 20kHz sound range.

The unit is powered by an internal rechargeable battery and can deliver up to 10 hours of playtime per charge. It can be recharged via computer USB or a 5V USB power adapter using a plug. There is also a built in LED low battery indicator.

Cost: $39.95