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End Of Summer Tech Finds: Eco Ear Buds, A Crazy Carbot And A Sleek speaker!!

By Laurel Woods
August 28, 2012 / 11:30 AM

Ok so I love finding new gadgets to play with and this summer has kept me pretty gadget-busy! Here are a few items I'd like to share with you in case you're looking for something fun!

First off is the CarBot by Desk Pets. This is officially the World’s 1st micro-robotic toy that navigates mazes, avoids obstacles, and is fully controllable by your iDevice or Android phone. Ok, so at first I was like, "No way will I be entertained by this thing." Then within minutes, four of us are playing with this car, following it around, and taking pictures with it. Now we need more! Gusto made a race track for Carbot but it was a bit too advanced for us, but he still had loads of fun motoring around the office and startling people!

And the specs:

  • Toy car that incorporates mobile applications to be fully controllable by iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, also compatible with Android phone

  • Battle mode allows multiple players to battle via infrared and disable opponents car with fire and boost button

  • Personality mode entertains crowds and the CarBot autonomously goes crazy drifting, speeding and spinning with lights and sounds

  • Maze mode allows players to set up obstacles, while CarBot uses IR sensors to detect mazes and navigate around them with military precision

  • Drift ‘n’ Race mode allows player to race car at full speed with or without added sound effects

  • Retractable USB charger built into body of the product, 40 minutes of charge = 25 minutes of play

  • Each color (orange, blue, red, and green) operates on own frequency, allowing for multi-player racing and battling

    • Available at: Deskpets.com.

    Price: $29.99

    Wood Tones earbuds made by Griffin. They are eco-friendly and come with super-cool packaging to carry around! Normally I'm not a huge earbud fan, I prefer the large and in charge headphones that cover your ears like Princess Leia's old-school buns. But I tried these out at the gym the other night and they're great because they're so compact AND they stayed in my ears the whole time--jumping, running, you name it! And the eco factor makes them extra cool! Here are the specs:

  • Lightweight enclosures made from wood that would have otherwise been burned or tossed in a landfill, polished to a smooth satin finish

  • Displays the singular qualities of woodgrain, meaning no two pieces are alike

  • Wooden housings accentuate vocals and bass while also improving sound volume, so users can listen at lower volume levels than usual while still enjoying the same caliber of sound

  • 8 mm neodymium magnet drivers for powerful sound

  • Soft silicone ear cushions for added comfort, with three size options

  • 4 feet of smooth, black cable giving ample room for movement

  • Packaged inside a drawstring carrying pouch made of natural hemp fire

    • Available at: GriffinTechnology.com/WoodTones

    Price: $29.99

    Braven: 600 made by Braven. This small wireless bluetooth speaker combines stereo, device charging, speakerphone and daisy chaining capabilities all-in-one. It's perfect if you travel a lot, like I do! And I love the sleek red color. It's made from aircraft-grade aluminum and weighs only 12 oz.!! Here are the specs:

  • Provides unique ability to charge your USB device even while you’re streaming

  • Gorgeous stereo sound with 2 custom extended range drivers, left and right channel subwoofers, and 3w output

  • Offers 12 hours of continuous play, streaming as far as 30 ft. away

  • Users can daisy chain multiple speakers together

  • Internal mic compatible with Bluetooth smartphone, Skype, Facetime, iChat and other applications for use with built-in speakerphone

  • Available in stylish Mountain Ash and Moab Red

    • Available at: Braven.com

    Price: $149.99

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