Wearable patch can measure stress level
Scientists from Stanford University have created a patch that can be applied to the skin, absorbs sweat, and then evaluates the amount of cortisol (the stress hormone) which is being produced by a particular individual.
Until now, people needed to wait for several days before getting their cortisol level results from the lab. By using this new wearable patch, they will be able to evaluate stress levels within seconds, from the comfort of their homes.
Sweat sensing is a non-invasive method that can help detect various diseases and/or evaluate sports performance. Researchers hope to be able to measure cortisol levels using saliva in the future. This way, patients won't need to sweat to be tested.
Innovative gadgets that help improve your health
Most of us spend 8-10 hours in front of a computer screen, and this can quickly lead to back pain, headaches, high blood pressure, and other health-related issues. Fortunately, there are several innovative gadgets that have been built with the goal of helping us stay healthy.
Ironically, we are now inventing devices that are supposed to solve the problems which have been created by a previously invented generation of devices (computers, etc).
Forbes has recently published a list of gadgets that can analyze your walking patterns and posture, alleviate back pain, evaluate stress levels, help you sit properly, measure blood pressure, and more.
Hyped gadgets that never came to market
I have been thinking at several interesting gadgets that never made it to market for quite some time now. Apparently, I am not alone.
Popular Science has put up a list of devices that never saw the light of day. Some of the gadgets on their list include:
- Kuri, a friendly robot that was supposed to dance, mimic and display human emotions;
- Microsoft Courier, a foldable tablet that included two 7-inch screens;
- Project Ara, a modular smartphone which allowed you to swap parts, replacing the outdated ones with their modern equivalents;
- Lady Gaga's Polaroid Camera Glasses.
Five clever gardening gadgets
What do gadgets and gardening have in common? Quite a few things, according to one of the leading technology news sites - T3. One of their recently published articles includes five devices that can help us keep our gardens in great shape, while we continue to live our hectic lives. The article discusses these gadgets:
- Honda Miimo HRM 3000, a robot mower that can find its way around trees, benches, pools, and even dogs, and can be programmed using your phone;
- Gardena Smart System, a Wi-Fi enabled water management system;
- John Deere X950r Tractor Mower, the perfect solution for people who need to maintain several acres of pasture;
- Hozelock Cloud Controller, an automatic, app-controlled plant watering system;
- Garden Compass, an app that will help you identify any flower, plant, shrub or tree by simply taking a picture of it.
Best gadgets for man's best friend
How many gadgets can you buy for a man's best friend? Never too many, if you ask an authentic dog lover. The guys at Mashable have compiled a great list which includes over a dozen of devices that will make your dog happier. Here are just a few of them.
- Furbo allows you to see and hear what your pooch is doing. It helps you communicate with your dog and it includes a treat dispenser as well;
- Grooming Gloves will successfully replace any canine brushing accessory. Use these gloves to gather the unwanted clumps of hair gently, while you are petting your dog;
- Cooling Collar is a great looking scarf that will help keep your best friend cool during those hot summer days and nights;
- iCalmDog helps puppies that suffer from anxiety by playing soothing tracks that are guaranteed to make them feel better.
Best gadgets that will help kids fall asleep
There is a huge market for gadgets that promise to help kids fall (and stay) asleep. Not all of them work as expected, though. Fortunately, PC Magazine has tested several devices that are supposed to work for toddlers and children aged 4 to 8 years.
These are the clear winners:
- Hatch Baby Rest includes a special light source and a high-quality speaker which can be controlled using a companion app.
- Zazu Kids has built three different sleep aids: Pam the Penguin (a night light and Bluetooth speaker), Bobby the Bear (an analog and digital clock) and Lou the Owl (a sound-activated night light).
- Smart Connect Deluxe Soother, a gadget that can play music and white noise, projects colored stars on the ceilings, etc.
Essential devices that you should invest in
Let's be honest for a minute and admit that we've got lots of useless gadgets in our homes. Maybe you have purchased a 7-inch tablet a while ago, and now you've got a 6-inch smartphone that has rendered that tablet useless.
Still, some gadgets are essential, and yet very few of us own them. The good news is that the folks at Gizmodo have published a list of useful gadgets, which should point us in the right direction. Here are some of them.
- Network attached storage (NAS) systems, which include one or more hard drives that can be accessed through the Internet and/or can be connected to your home network. They are the perfect solution when it comes to storing and accessing your precious data;
- Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), which can help keep our computers, NAS devices, and other critical gadgets powered on even when there is a power outage or a power surge.
- Mesh Wi-Fi routers, which are the perfect solution for people who need a strong wireless signal in the entire home.
How to control your smartphone addiction
Yes, people have started to invent gadgets which are supposed to curb our addiction for... gadgets!
One of these inventors is Matteo Bandi, who has created a series of devices which will only work when they are connected to an idle smartphone. Your phone becomes the on/off switch, if you will.
So far, Mr. Bandi has created an alarm clock, a projector, a speaker and a lamp. So, if you want to watch a movie using his projector, your phone will be automatically disabled until the movie is over.
The same thing happens if you want to listen to music or read a book using Mr. Bandi's lamp.
Fortunately, these inventions will determine people to cut down their screen time and build real, long-lasting relationships by spending more time with their friends.
