iPhone apps are getting more and more niche all the  time. Dynamic Controls, a company that specializes in wheelchair control units, unveiled an iPhone app that lets wheelchair users control their electronic wheelchairs via an iPhone or iPod Touch.

Dynamic Controls unveiled the new iPhone app at the RECHARGE conference in Germany, which is a trade show for the special needs community. As you can see by the pictures above, the app displays various information like speed and heading, and allows the wheelchair user to adjust various settings on the chair, like the seating angle.

The iPhone will connect to the wheelchair via Bluetooth, IR or WiFi, or through computer mouse control. A ‘chair doctor’ feature will diagnose any problems with the wheelchair and report it to the user, as well. The app also features web access to Dynamic Controls’ website, which will feature news that appeals to wheelchair users. Remember, with the full power of an iPhone, a wheelchair user would also be free to surf other websites if they didn’t want to read about advancements in pro-grip wheelchair wheels.

Dynamic is selling an optional attachment that will secure the iPhone to the wheelchair. Dynamic’s control units will also allow for iPhones to charge off of the wheelchair’s battery. The application can be used with any existing Dynamic Controls wheelchair unit and any 3G iPhone. The iPhone app is set to be released in April of 2010.

I love Halloween. It’s the one season of the year where freaks feel normal and people can find yet another excuse to decorate their homes with piles of useless novelty crap like plastic skeletons and witches that look like they’ve smashed into a tree. Every now and then I happen across a Halloween gadget that doesn’t look like a pile of Chinese-manufactured throwaway trash and the animated moving books from BuyCostumes.com certainly fit the bill.

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At last we have it. The culmination of what I’m sure were minutes of product development effort has finally led us to what can only be described as the pinnacle of USB multi-card reader design, the Enter+Ctrl Keys Card Reader from the folks at usbgeek.com. Not only does it read the cards, it looks like a couple of well-known computer keys at the same time. Pure genius. (more…)

Are you looking for a way to improve your telekinetic abilities while having fun at the same time? I can’t even begin to count how many times I have asked myself that very same question. After all, who wouldn’t want to increase their chances of being able to read thoughts or mentally manipulate people, right? Well, now you can work on honing those increasingly important skill sets by using one of the latest product introductions from Hammacher-Schlemmer, the Mind Flex Telekinetic Obstacle Course. (more…)

Before today, you may have come across yet another product spotlight piece on yet another blog on yet another universal remote control and yawned. That was before. This is now. The Wand Company (Yes, that’s their real name) is a UK-based start-up that is seeking to capitalize on the still-growing Harry Potter craze with its latest invention, the Kymera Magic Want universal remote control. Yes, it’s a remote control, but not just any remote control. You see, this one is in the shape of a magic wand and that, my friend, has made all the difference. (more…)

Have you been looking for a new way to creep out your significant other? Are you a perpetual nagger that loves to rely on new technology to get the job done? Well, the folks that created the Digital Video Memo just might be your best friends. Now you can take your gentle reminding to the next level or leave your loved one a little somethin’ somethin’ in the morning to let them know you were thinking about them. Before I go into the details, I must remind you that the above image is pretty frickin’ creepy, so don’t look directly at it for extended periods of time. (more…)

Maybe because I’m a foodie or because they’re crafted so nicely, I gotta admit that I simply love those Cake Royale USB flash drives that invite you to take a bite. Along the same lines, today I laid my eyes on DigiDude. Designed by Quirky Community, it’s a cute little thing that not only acts as a funky keychain but also doubles up as a camera mount.

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I know that when I go to shop for a flashlight there are two things that I really need: a full-blown replica of the lightsaber of Darth Vader and really bright red LEDs. Up until now, I had little choice in my lightsaber flashlights, so when I saw the latest geek gadget from the folks at Wesco I felt that my prayers had been answered. They have just announced the availability of the Darth Vader lightsaber LED flashlight and 40 year-old virgins all over the world are lining up to get theirs. (more…)

Who hasn’t felt like hooking the iPod up to an explosive device at one time or another? I know I have. Apparently, so have the guys over at IWantOneOfThose.com. Their latest speaker creation, the Big Bang Speaker, is sure to have you laughing out loud as you jam along to your favorite tunes. It also has to rank up there as one of the most creative uses of speaker design that I have seen so far. It sure beats all of those brightly colored mini speakers that look like they were all stamped out of the same mold, doesn’t it? (more…)

Have you ever been out walking when you suddenly realize that your walking stick is way too ordinary? What if you had some way to integrate your walking stick and your pedemoter? I know I’m not alone here, people, so lemme here ya. We all want the benefits of an intelligent walking stick that can take our Sunday strolls to the next level. The folks at Hammacher Schlemmer know exactly what we are talking about and that’s why they are selling the Pedomostick. (more…)

We’ve come across any an iPhone related accessory here on TFTS, most of which have been pretty standard devices (docks, cases, portable speakers, battery packs, et al) and we’ve even come across the odd somewhat bizarre iPhone accessory (the ZGrip springs immediately to mind) and now we have this, an iPhone Stencil Kit that, in all honesty, is aimed at we’re not exactly sure who.
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We entertain a particular penchant for the humble and decidedly yesteryear cassette tape so when we came across this beautifully retro cassette tape headphone cord tidy modelled on a C-60 and known officially as the <<REW we couldn’t possibly not offer a brief heads up here on the site.

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If you’re a dedicated Star Wars fan who feels the force you may like to know that you can now pre-order the Star Wars Force Trainer mind control game which, as you’d probably gathered, offers you the potential ability to lift a ball (or remote sphere, as its officially referred to) merely using the power of thought.
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Having chatted at some length to my writers here on TFTS about what is and what isn’t prime material for content here on the site – netbooks, phones, you get the picture – I’m now going to set an especially poor example by posting about this Takara Tommy Hover Q Mini RC Hovercraft which, for some reason, particularly appeals to me and the posting of which has allowed for one of the most curious post titles on the site for, well, at least a few minutes (I’m up against a couple of pros here, so I don’t fancy my chances long term).

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It sure would be nice if you could annoy your fellow sports fans and scare the crap outta your best friend without having to worry about where you were going to get your next air horn refill, wouldn’t it? I thought that’d get your attention. Now you can have your audible mayhem device and remain environmentally conscious at the same time with the Ecoblaster Rechargeable Air Horn. (more…)

We’ve featured many a Lego inspired item here on TFTS in the past, from Lego brick themed iPod Speakers to Lego themed correction pens and even Lego Digital Cameras and MP3 Players and now we have these Lego themed calculators to add to our collection – though, in being strictly unofficial in nature, they’re referred to as Building Block Calculators.

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The grating sounds produced by most alarm clocks are enough to have you starting the day with a piercing headache. Whether it’s with an annoying electronic beep or old-fashioned brain-busting bell, being forced out of your restful REM is no fun for anyone. Maybe the sounds of a rushing waterfall or cheerful birds are more your thing. Getting the day started with the sounds of nature just might have you off on the right foot. At least that’s what the folks at Danna Bananas have in mind with their new Mosquito Sound Alarm Clock. (more…)

I love USB devices. They come in all sorts of designs like personal fan, little lights, sound cards, even a microwave is available that’s powered by your USB slot. But a USB-powered ass? When I first saw this one I almost passed it by. I figured, what could I possibly have to say about such a dumb device. But I couldn’t get it out of my mind. Images of little shaking butts kept creeping back into my head like some kind of visual earworm. I had to exercise the demons and I had to find out where in the hell these things came from. (more…)

You’ve probably seen the giant green screens that are used by Hollywood movie producers in all sorts of special effects shots. They essentially give the engineers the ability to place an actor into just about any environment without them actually having to be there in person. Not bad if you are shooting a scene on the surface of the moon. This type of movie magic was only available to the movie studios until now. Yoostar lets you bring the green screen concept into your own home so that you can put yourself into your favorite movies. (more…)

There is just something warm and comforting about hearing a crowd erupt into thunderous applause. Whether at a football game or rock concert, the result is the same. Even though it might not be for you, you can still find solace in the act of being part of this communal adoration. It’s a team thing I suppose. But what if your life doesn’t leave much room for you to be appreciated? What if a brown-nosing colleague is always overshadowing you? What if you are simply a loser? Now you can have your own canned pat on the back anytime you need it with the Box of Applause. (more…)

There are certain things that will always creep me out – carnies and public restrooms among them – but I have to admit that robotic animals of any kind might be near the top of the list. I’m not sure if it’s the lifeless, piercing eyes or the rigid mechanical movements that do it. Maybe it’s just the fact that no matter how much technology you cram under the fake fur they just never seem natural. Either way, when I saw the latest creature creation from Sega Toys, the Dream Cat Venus, it sent chills up and down my spine. (more…)

We’ve seen many a hoax product site but, whilst we usually pass them over, this particular one, which focuses on ‘the world’s first USB-powered chainsaw’ (otherwise known as the i.Saw) is undoubtedly worth a mention not least because of its wholly deadpan approach and its particularly well executed product page.

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We’ve all seen the little gadgets that you can carry around that let you know when you’re near a Wi-Fi signal. They normally take the form of a small handheld device that you can fit in your pocket or put on your keychain. Not a bad idea, really. So why don’t we see too many wearable gizmos that do the same thing? Probably because they don’t seem to make much sense and most people wouldn’t be caught dead wearing them. The makers of the WiFi Cap certainly got it right when they called their latest invention “geeky” and I’m sure they won’t be winning any fashion awards anytime soon. (more…)

I know you simply can’t get enough of the wonderfully creative USB hubs that are flooding the market and that’s why I am here to bring yet another one to your attention. This baby not only has the technology that you’d expect from a 4-port USB hub, but it comes wrapped in an uber-cute package that’s adorable enough to make Snake Plissken cry. Put your paws together for the Panda USB Hub from Gadget4All.com. (more…)

If you’ve ever thought about inventing a device that projects simulated fireworks on your walls and ceilings you probably work for Sega Toys. Because I’m pretty sure that no one ouside of the land of Hello Kitty would ever come up with such a lame idea. I won’t let the fact that I just don’t get this product stand in the way of the info. After all, that’s why I’m here. (more…)

If you are having trouble with excess popularity, good looks, and general coolness, and the pocket protector isn’t doing it for you, I think I have just the thing. I believe I may have stumbled upon the quintessential geek garment. This thing enables you to accomplish two things. You can harness the power of the sun to charge electronics and look like a complete idiot at the same time. (more…)

I have always wished that I could have a small, multi-colored, visor-wearing autonomous robot penguin that would meander around my desk making noises and lighting up. Am I alone here? OK, this one almost defies description and it definitely defies usefulness. Let’s put this one in the WTF file. Introducing the mydeskfriend project from Arimaz.

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We all know how satisfying it can be to watch your cat or dog chase a light around on the floor. Feeding into their innate lower brain function provides us with hours of mindless entertainment. But having to wave that little flashlight or laser pointer around can really tire you out. What’s a lazy pet owner supposed to do? Well wait no more. Owners of pets and slow children, you now have an option to help things along. The latest in laser-powered pet and stupid human entertainment/torture devices is finally here.

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The world is full of boring ice cubes, and I, for one, am tired of it. They just sit there in your ice bucket, staring back at you smugly, almost defiantly, as if they know that they’re doomed to play second fiddle to whatever beverage they call home. If only there was some way to bring sexy back to your bucket, some way to add some mojo to these oft-forsaken chillers. Well, now you can breathe a sigh of relief because your ice cubes can now have their own personal rave courtesy of UxSight.

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If you’re looking for an altogether more tidy (and distinctive) means of recharging all your prized gadgetry from a single outlet this Gadget Charging Station with Artificial Grass, known as the Grassy Lawn Charging Station, could fit the bill rather nicely.

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