Once again as summer approaches, the prices of gas are starting to sky rocket up. One day, we will all be able to laugh at the gas gouging companies that seem to take advantage of the population.

Guy Negre, president of “MDI group”, a company that has the first car to run on compressed air. It is anticipated that it will go on sale in France next year, boasting “zero pollution” and a cheaper alternative to today’s gas consuming vehicles.

The car’s engine uses pressurized air to turn the pistons. The engine only emits fresh air out of the “frozen” exhaust pipe. Monsieur Negre and the MDI group have also created other vehicles including the CityCAT and OneCAT’s. The only thing I can add to this is, I can’t wait the day.

Specifications

• Dimensions Length 2.65 m x Width 1.62 M x Height 1.66 m
• Weight 730 pounds
• Travel 93 miles/hour
• Number of Seats 3
• Inventor Guy Negre
• Airbag, air conditioning, ABS, 3 seats
• Max speed 110km/h; Dual-energy2 125km/h; Dual-energy4 140 km/h
• Co2 emission in urban use 0 g/km
• Approximate price 9200 Euros

MiniCAT

Meet the world’s first ultra-portable espresso machine called “The Twist”.

Environmentally friendly, it requires no external power, just simply add hot water, and your ready to brew. The power for the Twist comes from standard gas cartridges (100% recyclable), which can produce up to 8 single shots, or 4 double shots on a single use.

Not only is this a great tool for your kitchen, but also fantastic for camping and the cottage.

Specifications

• Brewing time 20-30 seconds for an ideal extraction
• Composition: medical grade polycarbonate, with an aluminum frame
• Capacity: 8 single shots, or 4 double shots
• Power: standard gas cartridges
• Company: MyPressiTwist
• Size 10.5” length by 3.5” width by 3.5” height
• Weight 16 ounces
• Pressure 135 psi (9 bars) over the entire shot

mypressi TWIST

If your anything like me, at times you have problems find your car in a busy mall. During busy seasons (i.e. Christmas) this problem only gets worse as parking spots are a premium.

IDC has developed the Ecco Intelligent Digital Compass Personal Pocket GPS Locator to help solve this problem. This small high tech GPS helps users to locate their car within seconds. Once you park your car, just simply ‘lock’ your starting location and the GPS locator will help get back easily. The Ecco Pocket GPS will store up to three separate locations.

Now only if I could get a GPS system to help me find my keys or the remote control in the family room.

Specifications

• Range of 10 feet to 9,999 miles, worldwide use
• Self-contained system with no need for a receiver in the car
• No monthly service charge
• Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.5 x 9 inches
• Rechargeable battery USB connection at home, computer, or in your car.
• Built in electronic compass. Display directional arrow, direction and distance counts down as you move.
• Accurate to within 10 metres.
• Battery: 1 month standby. 2 weeks if used for 10 min per day.

No more lost keys ..

Garmin, makers of GPS equipment, has branched off into the personal fitness equipment market.

The Garmin Forerunner 310XT is a personal fitness trainer located on a wrist watch. This device is ideal for triathletes as it is waterproof. The transition from the water to the bike is made easy with the optional quick release and bike mounts.

The in built GPS will also track your location and exercise speed.

Specifications

• Waterproof: Works in 50m deep of water
• In built GPS to track speed and location for up to 20 hours
• Soft-strap waterproof heart-rate monitor (optional)
• Dimensions: 2.1 x 0.8 x 2.2 inches
• Weight: 2.5 oz (72 g)
• ANT+™ wireless technology automatically transfers data to your computer
• Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion
• Battery life: 20 hours, typical
• Optional Bike speed/cadence sensor and foot pod

Garmin Forerunner 310XT Trainer

Looking for a gift for dad, but don’t have a lot of money to spend?

Well dad can enjoy visiting and playing some of the most challenging golf courses in the world without leaving his living room.

The “World Golf Tour TM” is an awesome virtual golf game that is free to anyone with internet access and supports any browser. The graphics are great, the sound is brillant. Play a few practice rounds, challenge others and when you feel confident enter a few tournaments.

Once you move your golf game up a few notices you can try to qualify for major events such as the Virtual US open.

The Virtual U.S. Open Qualifying Round runs from May 25 to June 21. The top 156 scores plus ties will square off in the championship round on June 22. All eligible players will be entered into a sweepstakes drawing for a $500 gift card to the USGA online store.

Specifications

• Play virtual golf on famous courses in stunning HD.
• Interactive golf experience.
• Single or multi player games
• Free to play, no software installation needed
• Supports any browser.
• Multi-player capability with in-game chat functionality – up to four players
• Variety of swing options – including punch, chip, flop and putt
• Personalized Avatars
• Personalized profile pages
• Interact and get information via online forums

World Golf Tour

Looking for the perfect father’s day gift.

The Surfboard Voice Activated Remote with Battery Charger combines your dad’s love of sports but provides him with relaxation. Forget about loosing the remote, when you can keep this on the table and change channel without touching the remote.

It comes with 5 pre-programmed (speaker independent) commands: Power, Channel up, Channel down, Previous, Favorite.

Not only will this universal remote control your TV, VCR, DVD, Cable and Satellite but the cool thing about it is that it is easy to set up. Using the “HELP” button, the Surfboard talks you through the automated setup.

Specifications

• Universal remote to control your TV, VCR, DVD, Cable and Satellite
• “Help” button talks you through the automated setup
• Device listens for specific keywords and commands
• Comes with 5 pre-programmed (speaker independent) commands
• Can program up to 12 voice commands and 1 keyword of your own
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds

Surfboard Voice Activated Remote

Ever been on a long flight and run out of battery power?

Inflight Power has created miniature charging power boxes that attach to the plane headphone jack. They can give power to small electronic devices, such as MP3 players, cell phones, PDAs, game players, and more. Unfortunately right now they don’t have a version will not work for larger devices such as laptops.

Specifications

• Power your mobile device from a coach or first class passenger seat with this amazing new product.
• Recharged and ready – no dead batteries after along flight
• Plug compatible with any standard USB charging cable
• Plug the cable into the passenger seat headset jack
• Optional battery boost feature to leverage power from AAA batteries if no available headphone jack
• FCC certified (does not emit radio noise)
• Glowing Led/light when the cable is ready to charge the attached device.
• Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 0.8 inches ; 8 ounces
• Global Use – no converter required. Works on Planes, Trains and Buses

Power your handheld device while in-flight

Here in Canada we have a popular television show called Mantracker. In this show, two normal people try to outwit and out maneuver an expert tracker over two days in the wilderness with very few items (a lighter, compass, map, water and food). The elements (snow, rain, sleet) effects the maneuverability of the two people. Many a time, they get lost.

Most of the time it seems that Mantracker is able to find the victims as they seem to get lost going through the deep woods in Northern Canada. I always wondered how Mantracker would fair if the people being tracked had the aid of GPS.

The SPOT Satellite Messenger uses GPS to acquire its coordinates, it sends back your location and can track your progress. It also has an emergency features such as sending GPS coordinates and distress message to Emergency Response Center.

Specifications

• SpotChecking feature alerts friends and family of your precise location
• SpotCasting function lets friends and family follow your progress in real time
• Sends GPS coordinates and distress message to Emergency Response Center
• Measures 2.75 x 4.38 x 1.5 inches (W x H x D)
• Weight: 7 ounces
• Waterproof to a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
• Operating Temperature: -40ºF to +185ºF
• Operating Altitude: -300 feet to +21,300 feet
• Battery Life: Power ON, unused: Approximately 1 year

Spot Satellite Messenger with GPS