Honda's Small Sports EV concept proves electric can be svelte, comes to Tokyo Motor Show next month

 Honda fans, hope you're down for some last-minute tickets to Japan, as the automaker plans to release not one, but seven (!) stunning concepts at the upcoming Tokyo Motor show. Ranging from plug-in hybrids to electric motorcycles, we're most stoked about the Small Sports EV -- a dashing two-seat roadster that reminds us stylistically of BMW's i8. Details are light, but Honda promises that it'll be fun to drive, yet also achieve "excellent environmental performance." Alongside it is the plug-in hybrid AC-X, which looks like an LED-ridden redux of the lease-only FCX. And finally, there's the Micro Commuter concept, which despite looking the least production-ready of the three, gets kudos for having a dedicated spot to load the accompanying Motor Compo EV motorcycle. 

CPR Racing debuts Energica electric streetbike prototype at EICMA 2011

You might not need an electric streetbike in the near future, but it's still cool to know that the prototype is complete. CRP Racing has just introduced the Energica at the EICMA motorcyle show in Italy. The Energica slides an all-electric powertrain with 100kW of power into a classic Italian-style two wheeler the is capable of speeds up to 220 km/h, 16kgm of torque, and 150km of range on a single charge, features OZ forged aluminum braking discs and a power train efficiency around 95 percent. The niftiness is only compounded by front double caliper radial mounts, a single rear fixed caliper, digital multifunction LCD dashboard and LED headlights. Pricing begins with a deposit of €1,500 ($2042 US) and doesn't include VAT. Of course, the Energica is still in the development phase, so final pricing and specifications might change. Still, if an electric streetbike isn't at least as cool as a penguin in a freezer, then something's wrong with your freezer. 

Jawbone UP targets a healthier you

I know that most of us do have a fitness regime of sorts, even if it involves lifting up the remote control, but the undeniable fact is this – if you want to keep fit and stay trim, don’t you think that it is about time you got off the sofa, stopped snacking on chips and fizzy drinks and start sweating it out at the gym? Yes sir, that is what I’m talking about, and Jawbone wants to help you out with the Jawbone UP – where it has been described as a “revolutionary system” which comprises of a small wristband and an app on your iPhone and iPod touch.

       Both the software and the hardware will work in tandem in order to track your daily activity, sleep patterns, as well as eating habits so that you are better able to live a healthier life. Since we all know that most people last longer when they exercise in groups due to motivational factors as well as having peers to cheer you onwards, the Jawbone UP will also integrate a social experience as you can subscribe to personal and team challenges which are specifically tailored to help you achieve your goals. 

Icon Solo Flashlight

Some of you might remember when we reviewed the ICON Link, and I had a chance to review the ICON Solo, the dual-output LED Flashlight.

       The ICON Solo flashlight is a different shape than the Link, as it is as long as a pen, but slightly thicker than a normal one. The power switch is a lot like a pen as well. You click for low output, release or click off, and then push or click on again within two seconds, for high output. The ICON Solo has a low lumen output of 5 and a high lumen output of 30. It has a total runtime of 50 hours.

       The clip attachment makes it easy to carry, but doesn’t have the security of carabiner clip that the Link has. Like the Link, it has a high-strength aluminum body, and it is weatherproof as it is sealed with O-rings.

DIY Wrist-mounted crossbow

 

I always like seeing DIY projects like this, especially if they are weapons. This wrist-mounted crossbow looks like it could do more than a little damage.

       Designed by Patrick Priebe, it would have been already been classified as one of our coolest gadgets if he would have just made a wrist-mounted crossbow. Instead, the creator took it a step further and gave it a laser sight.

       You can watch the video after the jump to see it hit some balloons, light bulbs, soda cans, and other targets. You will note how accurate that it is, and you can see how it is powered by two AA batteries. 

       It reminds me of something that James Bond had in Moonraker with a wrist-mounted dart launcher. Granted, that movie was one of the worst and completely unbelievable of the Bond films, and I suppose that you have to again suspend your disbelief in order to accept that such a device like this could ever be concealed.

       Yeah, I’m not certain what situation would call for a weapon such as this. Perhaps it would look awesome in some movie, like some sort of Mad Max genre. I don’t know. The issue is that we here at gadgetarium know what gadgets are cool and innovative, and this is one of them.

Tick Tock iPhone Alarm Clock

I must take my hats off to the traditional alarm clocks that tend to create quite a din in an effort to get you up and running to face a brand new day, but after a while, their incessant ringing might actually help you get out of bed – on the wrong side, unfortunately. Don’t you think it would be better if you could wake up to a tune of your choice, or perhaps even to your favorite DJ on a radio station? Why, with the advent of iPhone accessories, you are now able to do so – and what better way than to merge the old and the new in the form of the 59.99 Tick Tock iPhone Alarm Clock?

       Sure, the Tick Tock iPhone Alarm Clock might come in its classic round face and twin bell design, but that doesn’t mean it will ring its way through the morning and make a pest of itself. No sir, it is a modern docking station that will hold your precious iPhone inside when you go to bed at night (while juicing it up at the same time, of course), sporting a couple of 360 omni-directional full-range speakers so that your ears (and perhaps your partner in bed) will wake up to rich, multi-directional sound.

       Other features include a built-in FM radio, an LCD display for FM/aux/alarm/time/date functions, five preset alarms and time synchronization with your iDevice. Want a more conventional alarm clock setup? That can be accomplished by pivoting the dock out of the way.

Soft Kitty Singing Plush

There is just something about plushies that soften the heart – and the $29.99 Soft Kitty Singing Plush is one of them. This is an officially-licensed Big Bang Theory product, where whenever you press its paw, it will start crooning “Soft Kitty” so that your emotions will be soothed, and no matter how dark the clouds are on the outside, a silver lining would most probably present itself at the most opportune moment.

       Measuring 10″ in length, the Soft Kitty Singing Plush will boast a collar that has a little Bohr-model atom tag coupled with the Big Bang Theory logo. You will need a trio of 1.5V button-cell batteries to get this going, forget about giving it some Friskies. At least there is no kitty litter to pick up after, and you need not worry about boarding issues and vaccination jabs when you go traveling. The Soft Kitty Singing Plush is made out of polyester fiber and just like any other self-respecting feline, hates water – so don’t send it to the washing machine, but use a damp cloth instead. 

Panasonic does the 3D gig with Lumix DMC-3D1

Stereoscopic 3D is the way to go where the future is concerned, but it will still take a fair bit of time before it catches up with the masses. After all, not everyone is lining up and rushing to purchase a 3D HDTV, and you don’t see a mad craze for all movies to be shown in 3D glory although you might say that film executives think otherwise. If you have a 3D-capable HDTV sitting at home (preferably part of the Panasonic ecosystem for obvious reasons with this post), then why don’t you take full advantage of it with the newly announced Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1?

       Yes sir, just like all other 3D cameras out there in the market, this particular model will also come with a twin-lens design so that it can shoot not only 3D images but stereoscopic 3D videos as well. Want to shoot regular stills without any eye-popping visuals? Not a problem, the Lumix DMC-3D1 does that equally well.

Dell M110 Ultra Mobile Projector

The advancement of miniaturization technology has resulted in many things becoming far smaller without sacrificing on performance – and the same can be said of the projector. Even until now, projectors are still rather bulky in size, but then again they certainly have shed plenty of weight over the years, and at least you need not wait until the bulb cools down completely before turning off the main power in select models. What happens when you take a shrinking ray and point it towards a projector? Why, you end up with the Dell M110 Ultra Mobile Projector, of course!

       The Dell M110 Ultra Mobile Projector is said to be more than just a projector, as it is a truly portable media hub that can see action either at home or at the office. It will tip the scales at a mere 0.8lbs, but despite the relatively small size, do not be deceived by its super small package – the M110 is still able to pack a punch!

Tiki Pepper Grinder

Somehow, when I see the Tiki Pepper Grinder, it reminds me of Captain Jack Sparrow and the many adventures that he went through, getting all exciting especially when he tries to run away from a tribe of cannibals (although there was not a single element of Tiki in the movie). The same kind of situation has also been depicted in many other adventure films, so why not bring home a little bit of movie magic into your dining room with the $15.99 Tiki Pepper Grinder?

       Definitely the perfect tool to perk up your luau or party, where pressing the Tiki’s nose will start the inner mechanism that grinds pepper within. This is nearly hands-free, but you sure as heck cannot deny that it is hassle free! Just like the original Game Boy, the Tiki Pepper Grinder will be powered by a quartet of AA batteries, although I am quite sure you will replace those batteries at a far slower rate than those on your Game Boy.