You’ve probably seen these little robotic rabbits before; they were introduced a few years ago with the name Nabaztag.  Violet is introducing a new version at CES that has all the cute and more smarts.  The new Karotz is the first hardware device made especially for Facebook, and it can update your status with audio files it records, texts, or photos.  Friends can take control of your Karotz and use its integrated webcam to see what it sees, send you a message or audio file, send a poke, or move the rabbit’s ears or change the color of its light to get your attention.  It has advanced voice recognition and can respond to questions and search the internet to find answers, and it can play music, check for new emails, read the weather report, RSS feeds, tweets, and more.  Some accessories available for the Karotz have RFID tags, so the rabbit can recognize when your child gets home and send you an email to let you know.  The free Karotz Controller app is available now in the Android Market or in Apple’s App Store.  Karotz are available at Karotz.com and the Amazon, Brookstone, J&R, Computerworld, and ThinkGeek websites for $129.99 MSRP.

Filed in categories: Android related, Geek Toys, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: Internet Appliance, RFID

Violet Launches Karotz Smart Rabbit That’s Compatible with Social Networks originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 10, 2012 at 12:00 pm.

When it comes to wallets, do you consider yourself a traditionalist or modernist? Traditionalists tend to choose wallets made of leather, nylon or canvas style materials, while modernists are up for plastic, stainless steel, sailcloth, tyvek and more. I would place my own wallet preferences somewhere in the middle of the two. I love leather, but I’m always interested in trying new ways of carrying my money and credit cards. The Flipside 2x Wallet is definitely a modern take on this age old every day carry product.

Note: Some of the images in this review can be clicked to view a larger size.

Flipside isn’t new to the wallet game. We reviewed their Flipside 2 wallet last summer.

The Flipside 2x is available in 4 colors: Orange, White, Blue and Black. As you can see from the photos, they sent me the Orange version.

The first thing I noticed was that the plastic on the 2x feels slightly more robust than the plastic used to construct the previous version. It’s still flexible so that it shouldn’t crack if you place it in your back pocket. I wouldn’t advise you to carry this wallet (or any other wallet for that matter) in your back pocket though. It’s not a good idea to sit on something that hard all that time.

If you flip the wallet over, you’ll notice the new removable card clip which has been designed to hold business cards and/or receipts.

The 2x retains the spring loaded latch that when pressed will automatically cause the cover to flip open, ready for use. The latch is slightly larger, which allowed the cover to easily pop open. The previous version would sometimes get hung up on the flesh of your thumb and not pop open until you adjusted moved slightly.

Inside you’ll find 3 storage areas for your cards and cash. The clip on the inside of the top cover can hold 3 cards of standard thickness (like your driver’s license or credit card).

The center section had a storage area on either side. One side can hold 3 cards…

While the opposite side holds one card for quick retrieval. It’s important to note that the to main storage areas (that each hold 3 cards) are the only slots that are RFID shielded and protected from de-magnetization. The slot that holds just one card is not RFID protected.

The back cover has a built in money clip that can hold up to 12 dollar bills.

Time to load er up!  I have been using the Waterfield Wallet for years now. Here are most of the contents of that wallet.

12 dollar bills
5 business cards
5 thick plastic credit cards (drivers license and credit cards)
6 thinner cards (like store cards, insurance cards, etc)

The Flipside 2x is able to hold more than 7 cards depending on the thickness of those cards. Instead of 7 cards, I was able to store a total of 11 cards.

The cards are held in place with friction. Even if you only store one card in each slot, they won’t fall out.

Removing the top card is as easy as sliding it up and out of the slot with your thumb.

The only issue I found is that it’s hard to remove cards below the top card, without removing the whole stack of cards in that slot.

Accessing your cash is simple though with the built in money clip.

I was able to store 5 business cards in the external clip.

I mentioned earlier that I use the Waterfield zippered wallet. While I was able to move almost everything from it over to the Flipside 2x, I did end up running out of room. There were a few credit cards that wouldn’t fit, along with 2 mini discount store cards and a few folded up checks that I have been carrying around for a few days until I can get to the bank to deposit them. I also had a few coins in the bottom of the wallet that the Flipside won’t hold. That’s one issue that I can see with the Flipside vs. a conventional wallet. Conventional wallets are usually able to expand to hold more items because they are made of softer materials.  I’ve even used my Waterfield wallet to hold my phone before. The Flipside on the other hand,  has a set storage capacity. Which is not exactly a bad thing. It causes you to think about what you really need to carry with you. If I’m honest, half the cards I have in my wallet have never been used.

The Flipside 2x does turn heads. I’ve had several people see mine and ask about it. As soon as I press the latch and they see it pop open, their eyes light up.

When it comes down to it, I think the Flipside 2x wallet is a very nice update to the original Flipside 2. It’s made better, opens easier, has a 3 card slot, an improved cash slot and a new external business card clip. All that and the price has remained unchanged. For those of you that are looking for a new and unique wallet to add to your EDC (every day carry), you should definitely check out the Flipside 2x. Even if you’re a traditionalist… it might just turn you into a modernist.

Filed in categories: Gear, Reviews, Wallets

Tagged: RFID, Wallet

FlipSide 2X Wallet Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 8, 2010 at 2:09 pm.

This goes out to those of you that are always on the lookout for a unique wallet. Remember the Flipside wallet? Well, they’ve updated it with some cool new features that make me want to try one right away. Updates include the ability to hold 7 credit cards instead of 6, a removable business card / receipt holder that snaps to the outside of the wallet, a new money clip that can hold up to 12 bills, and stronger construction. It still has RFID shielding to protect your credit and debit cards from RFID thieves too. The Flipside 2x is available now for $39.95.

Filed in categories: Gear, News, Wallets

Tagged: RFID, Spotlight Gadgets, Wallet

The Flipside Wallet gets an update originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 6, 2010 at 7:58 pm.

I’m a wallet guy. I know that some people just abhor them, but I’ve always been a wallet guy. People used to make fun of me that I carried “George Costanza’s wallet. You’ve seen it. A leather wallet bursting at the seams, bits of paper, currency, and documents, struggling to break free. I wasn’t completely sure that it didn’t cause back problems from making me uneven when I sat on it.

About 5 years ago, I discovered the Jimi Wallet. Not only did it have a “wow, that’s a cool wallet” factor, but it kept my life organized and simple. More importantly, it cured me of GCWS (George Costanza Wallet Syndrome). It carried 6 cards (comfortably) but had room for only a few extra receipts or bills. Bills were a struggle with the Jimi wallet and I was always thinking it was just a shade too small in both the width and thickness. It’s not your conventional wallet, and like most in this category more like a durable case.

I was really happy with it until I purchased a FlipSide wallet. This takes the concept of the “hard side” wallet to the next level. Think of the FlipSide as a Pelican case for your ID, Credit Cards, and cash. If that weren’t enough, the FlipSide also shields your credit cards and ID from “RFID theft” and card demagnetization.

First I’ll show you a comparison picture of the Jimi Wallet and the FlipSide.

As you can see, they’re almost the same size both in the width and height as well as the thickness. Having carried the Jimi for a long time, there is really no noticeable difference in the “carry feel”.

The Flipside is easy to use and has a locking mechanism at the top as well as a spring loaded hinge which causes the wallet to flip open automatically when you disengage the locking mechanism. There’s a definite way to hold the wallet when you’re opening it so your documents aren’t upside down. It took me two or three tries of flipping my cards around until I figured that out. Like most males, I don’t read instructions. And that was one of the first things in the instruction page.

The place where this wallet really shines is in the design. Unlike the Jimi which is made from one piece of molded plastic with two inserts inside, the FlipSide is made from multiple parts and is put together with tiny phillips head screws. If I were a betting man, I’d say someone slaved long and hard over a CAD program designing this gem.

I mentioned a Pelican case in the beginning of the review and it reminds me of a Pelican case in the construction. The latch and hinges look like they’re very heavy duty and well thought out.

The interior of the wallet has four areas for storage. There is a hinged divider that, along with the sides of the wallet, defines each of the storage areas.

Two of the four areas are specifically designated for cards – or more specifically documents that have the size and thickness of credit cards. The two compartments fit six credit cards – 3 each side – comfortably. I tried fitting four cards in, and while possible, I wouldn’t suggest it. It’s really only designed for 3 cards in each of the card areas. In my wallet, I have two credit cards and a medical card on one side and two credit cards and a Starbucks card on the other side.

On the other side of the divider you have two more areas.One has a transparent cover that you would slide a document that you would have to show often like your driver’s license. Like I said, this wallet is put together really well. You can see that the driver’s license holder is even secured with those tiny phillips head screws.

It really only holds one document, card, or picture but you could probably put another one behind it if you pushed it but it’s not really designed to do that. I tried putting a “card stock” thickness business card behind it and while it fit, the plastic seemed to bulge out a bit.

The other side is designed for bills. There is a transparent piece of plastic held down at one end. Unlike the card holder this piece of plastic can be pulled forward to slide bills under. I don’t use it that way. I keep my atm receipts, business cards, and whatever other receipts I acquire in my travels. The manufacturer’s specs say that the bill slot will hold 15 bills. I tried it, and it does. It’s designed to slide one end of the bills under the plastic and fold the bills over the plastic.

I forgot to mention that the case interiors have black anodized aluminum. One of the other features of this particular wallet is that it will protect your cards from RFID theft as well as demagnetization of your cards from external sources like cell phones, speakers, and other electromagnetically charged objects. I wasn’t able to test the RFID theft or the demagnetization protection, but according to the manufacturer’s web site, this wallet will protect your cards from these hazards. The wallet has a 1 year warrantee for repair or replacement at the discretion of the manufacturer.

I can’t tell you how much I love this wallet. It would be the first step in curing GCWS. If you want to simplify your life, this wallet will certainly be a good start.

Filed in categories: Gear, Wallets

Tagged: RFID, Wallet

Flipside 2 Wallet Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 18, 2009 at 8:00 am.

Back in February, I told you all about a polymer and aluminum RFID shielding wallet called the Flipside. The makers of this product listened to your comments to that original post and comments from their customers, and have come up with the Flipside 2. This new version is thinner, smaller and easier to use than its predecessor. Now only 5/8″ thick, the Flipside 2 has a redesigned button/locking mechanism that is much easier to operate and more reliable. It also has improved card slots that are ‘grippier’ and more minimal, allowing more finger room to slide cards out easier. It is available for $39.95, and comes in 3 stylish colors–Stealth, Avalanche, and NEW Orange Crush. They plan to send me one to review, so stay tuned

Filed in categories: Gear, Wallets

Tagged: RFID, Spotlight Gadgets, Wallet

Flipside 2 – A leather wallet alternative originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 16, 2009 at 9:00 am.

Do you ever think about how people used to get their information and entertainment in the past and how we get it now? I remember listening to my Grandma talk about sitting in front of a radio, listening to soap operas and other shows. My Mom shared stories about going to the theater on the weekends to watch serial cliffhanger movies for 25 cents. When I was a kid, we came home from school to watch the Brady Bunch and the Flintstones on TV. Today I get the majority of my info and entertainment from the internet. It makes me wonder what cool new info technologies will we have in a few years? Will our umbrella be able to tell us that it’s going to rain, so that we won’t forget to take it with us on our way to work? Will our house key automatically email our significant other to tell them that we’ve arrived home early?  Actually, we don’t have to wait a few years to do those things. The Violet Mir:ror can do them now. 

Do you recognize the rabbit on the box from the Violet Nabaztag WiFi Smart Rabbit review that I wrote a couple years ago? Yes, the rabbit is back, but it’s about three times smaller. Violet’s latest connected gadget is the Mir:ror. They sure do seem to have a thing for weird names don’t they? What is the Mir:ror? It’s a USB coaster shaped device that can read RFID tags (or Ztamp:s) and run applications connected to those Ztamps when you touch or remove them from the surface of the Mir:ror.

Package Contents

Mir:ror USB device
3 RFID Ztamp:s
2 Nano:ztags (rabbits)
Quick-start Guide

The Mir:ror is approximately 4 inches across and .5 inches tall. The top surface has a clear plastic disk that you can remove to then add your own image below it. Think customizable mouse pad.

The dark ring around the top lights up in various cycling colors when the Mir:ror is plugged into an open USB port on your PC, Mac or Linux box.

The slots in the bottom are for the built in speaker that plays various status beeps when you add or remove Ztamps.

Ztamps are 1 x 1 inch adhesive stickers that have an RFID chip (Radio-frequency identification) embedded in them. You can stick these stamps on your keychain fob, your umbrella handle, etc. and then touch the object to the Mir:ror to run the applications connected to that object. Extra Ztamps can be purchased for $19.90 (for 12).

The nano:ztag micro rabbits are 2 inch tall plastic rabbits with manually rotating ears and a built in RFID chip (Ztamp). My Mir:ror package contained a Green and Purple rabbit, but the color selection is random. You can buy extra rabbits for $6.90 – $12.90 each depending on the color.

To start using the Mir:ror, you must first install the mirware application on your PC, Mac or Linux box. It’s interesting to note that the Windows app is 9.8mb, the Mac app is 39.7mb and the Linux app is only 3.3mb. Installation is quick and easy.

The next step is to register your Mir:ror on the Violet site. Once all that is done, you’re ready for the fun stuff – programming your Ztamps and nano:ztags.

The first time you place a Ztamp or nano:ztag on the mir:ror, a window will pop up asking you to name the object. You can also customize the image associated with the object.

Then you are presented with different applications that you can connect to the object. Some application examples include:

• Launches applications and files on your computer
• Connects to websites
• Plays videos, photos, music
• Text-to-speech playback of news from your websites (RSS feeds)
• Sends emails
• Sends spoken messages
• Launches Podcasts
• Launches Internet radios
• Weather, Markets, Air Quality
• Counts, records and gives reminders of an object’s recent use
• Launches and pilots iTunes
• Launches Skype and calls
• Sends data to external websites
• Sends Twitter messages and Facebook status
• Reads out books (books sold separately)

The connected applications show as thumbnails whenever you place one of the objects on the Mir:ror. From this popup window you can add more applications, delete ones that are already installed or edit their settings.

Each application can be triggered to run either when the object is showed to the Mir:ror, removed from the Mir:ror or both.

To demonstrate two very simple applications, I assigned the weather app to the Green rabbit, and the iTunes application to the Purple rabbit. The weather app allows you to choose the city and the iTunes app allows you to choose a song, artist or playlist. I set the action so that a playlist would begin playing when I showed the rabbit to the Mir:or and then stop playback when the object is removed.

See it in Action

Nifty huh? This was just a very simple demonstration. You can construct scripts to do all kinds of tasks when you show or remove an object from the Mir:ror.

During the week or two that I’ve been testing this product I have noticed that the mirware application is a bit buggy. Sometimes it will get in a loop and play the weather over and over until I kill the mirware application. Other times it will ignore an object that I place on the Mir:ror until I restart the mirware application. I’ve also had settings disappear from attached apps. For example, I setup one Ztamp to play the CNN hourly news podcast. It had been working perfectly for days, but today it would not play at all. When I checked the settings for that connected app, the URL for the podcast was missing. I added it back, but now it gives me an error every time I try to save the settings.

I also have a pretty big gripe about apps that read RSS feeds or play podcasts. When the audio first starts to play, a quick popup will come on your screen that you can click to have it stay on the screen for pausing and stopping the audio. If you miss clicking it, there’s no way other than stopping the mirware application to kill the playback. Kinda lame.

The Mir:ror is definitely a cute and fun product, but it could be so much better if it were completely wireless and did not have to be connected directly to a computer. I mean, we can already do all the same tasks that the Mir:ror can do by just clicking a few keys on our keyboard or mouse. The advantage with the Mir:ror is that you can trade those multiple key strokes and mouse clicks for just placing or removing nano:ztags and ztamps on a round disc. I hope that the next version of the Mir:ror will be completely wireless and can be placed anywhere in a WiFi enabled house house and have the audio play through a built in speaker.

Filed in categories: Home Tech

Tagged: Internet Appliance, RFID

Violet Mir:ror Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 27, 2009 at 10:04 am.

From the same folks that brought us the Nabaztag WiFi rabbit, comes the Mir:ror. It’s a small USB base that works with Ztamps – RFID stamps. Stick the Ztamps on your everyday objects such as your keys or umbrella. Place your umbrella on the base before you leave for the day and it will tell you the weather forcast. Then when you come home, place your keys on the Mir:ror base and it will email your friends to let you know that you are back home.

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: RFID, Spotlight Gadgets

Spotlight Gadget – Mir:ror RFID Device originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 18, 2009 at 7:50 am.