04/12/2010
Gadgets Channel / Bullz-Eye Home
In the spirit of Lionsgate's upcoming movie, "Kick-Ass," we put together 10 Kick-Ass gadgets set to release in 2010. For business or recreation, pleasure or practicality, this list contains ten of the best gadgets of the year. As an added bonus, you don't have to read one word about the iPad. Not a single word.
iPhone 4
A super hero is only as good as his source of information, and what better source than the best smartphone in the world. The iPhone OS 4 update brings multitasking to the interface the world knows and loves. You'll be able to flip quickly back and forth between your daily work life and your dossiers on the world's worst villains. Keep an eye out for a new model to launch this summer. The feature list is totally speculative, but you can almost certainly bet on a better battery and an even faster processor.
Google Nexus One
Not everyone would choose Apple as a crime-fighting sponsor, which is why Google's Nexus One makes this list. Despite it's notorious screen quality issues, the Nexus One is still the best Android device out there. You get all the advantages of a strong mobile OS, robust app store, and the best free navigation solution available. With every iteration of Android the platform just gets stronger, making the Nexus One the perfect smartphone for any forward thinker.
nPower Personal Energy Generator (PEG)
Set to release later this year, the nPower PEG keeps your gadgets charge while you roam Gotham's rooftops. The PEG harnesses the kinetic energy of your movement to keep any device that can be charged via USB at full. The thing that sets the PEG apart from other kinetic chargers is its shape and size. It fits perfectly into a backpack or satchel. If you're in a pinch you could always just stuff this bad boy in the front of your superhero garb. Is that a PEG in your pants?
Custom Steampunk USB drive
This is about as cool as storage will ever get. The drive remains light and compact but it looks fantastic and the back of the drive lights up like a coal furnace when it's plugged in. Really, what more could you ask for. Pack the private data you aren't willing to give to the cloud into this little beauty.
Parrot AR.drone
No iPhone is complete without a killer peripheral. The AR.drone is the perfect add-on, whether you use it for entertainment or a little recon. The AR.drone is a wi-fi controlled quadcopter that can be piloted with an iPhone or iPod Touch. It comes with two built-in cameras and a body kit for safe flying outdoors.
MagicJack Femtocell
You might laugh at MagicJack commercials, but the truth is that little VoIP jack is a great alternative to a regular landline and it only costs $19.95 a year. On the heels of its landline success, MagicJack is going to release a Femtocell later this year for cellular customers. Much like the units you see from Verizon and AT&T, the Femtocell connects to your cell phone just like a regular tower and then sends the voice traffic over your broadband connection so you don't use any cellular minutes. According to the good people at MagicJack, you just have to get within eight feet to confirm the connection and then you're free to walk as far as a 3000 square foot house can sprawl. Let's face it, being a super hero isn't always glamorous – save yourself a couple bucks with one of these.
Vizio Lifestyle headphones
Though technically still a concept, the Vizio Lifestyle headphones are cool enough that some consumer interest just might convince Vizio to start fabrication. The headphones feature a customizable LCD screen over each ear for that extra trippy rave effect you've always wanted. Oh, they probably sound pretty damn good, too.
Project Natal
There's been so much hype about motion-controlled gaming that you have to wonder if Microsoft can pull it off. With all the developer support, though, Natal will be a nearly guaranteed success. If you need to practice your moves against some virtual enemies or just kick back after a long day of crimefighting, Natal will surely be able to scratch your itch. Unfortunately, we'll be waiting a few months – this one's set to release for the holiday season 2010.
Playstation Move
Again, I have to be fair. Not everyone is a Microsoft fan and, who knows, the Move could be just as good as Natal (it won't be, but we can pretend to be objective). Move is Sony's answer to the Wiimote. With more precise controls and excellent multiplayer support, Move is as good a gadget for social gaming as you'll find. Move might make it out the door in fall of 2010 for those of you who can't wait for Natal.
SmartMass Putty
If anyone can tell you what this stuff is or how it works, run. You're about to be subjected to countless hours of esoteric jargon that you probably won't understand. What is it? Awesome in a tin, that's what. SmartMass Putty takes on the properties of almost any synthetic material you know. It bounces, it tears, it smushes, it stretches, it squishes, it drips, it shatters. All that and it still manages to lift the funnies out of the Sunday paper. When all the villains have been caught and your nemesis vanquished, you can spend a little 'me time' with this mindblowing material.
You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook for content updates. Also, sign up for our email list for weekly updates and check us out on Google+ as well.