iRobot Scooba - Robot Mop

These robotic vacuum cleaners from iRobot have been popular in the US and now they're distributing to Australia. Check out the Australian site at www.roomba.com.au

You can get the Roomba Discovery vacuum robot - which features intelligence to avoid stairs, return to its own charging station and clean up the dust and dirt you humans like to spread around.

But I'm more excited about the Scooba, the first robot mop! I never thought I'd get excited over a mop, but here we are approaching 2006.. it's strange times my friend.

We have wooden floorboards, and 2 kids who manage to coat the floor in food scraps and grime - so the Scooba is the go for us.

The Scooba is already available in the US and will be coming to Australia soon. The Discovery (and soon Scooba) are available from Harvey Norman, Domayne, Clive Peters and selected Good Guys and Retravision stores.

Don't sweat over your keyboard

So you've overclocked your pc and that little chip is like the surface of the sun - you've put in liquid cooling and a heatsink that looks more like a motorbike engine.. but you sit there sucking in the heat yourself you big nerd.
Don't play second fiddle to your computer this Christmas, get your computer to share the joy and give you some of that fresh air.

This palm size USB desk fan will make it happen, powered by your computer or 3 AA batteries if your PC turns selfish. The fan has soft blades, just in case your computer decides to go psycho and hunt you down with its fan.. don't laugh it happens.. and to remind you that its not a weapon its coloured gay pink and yellow. Yer this is nice for the wife but I'd like to see a black version - with some led lights there somewhere.. and bugger it the blades can be titanium thanks.

Don't dispair, there's some less gay looking versions , including one that does indeed have an led and made from metal.. Check out the pic ... ooh neat aye?

No that isn't a killer disco robot or space girl boobies... its two of these led fans going with the lights off


Both fans are AUD$18 inc GST, several other versions are also available from www.kepastore.com.au

Non-Contact Digital Thermometer with Laser Sighting

How Hot is your partner? Am I Hot.. or Not??
Is your girlfriend really Hot or just smoldering?

Know for sure! This non-contact digital thermometer will measure the surface temerature of any object using infrared. Use the built-in laser pointer for distant objects to ensure an accurate reading.

It features a large green backlit LCD screen, C/F switchable, measures temperature range from -50 to +500°C (-58 to +932°F) with +/-2% accuracy.

Just be careful where you point it.. kind of looks like a black & decker crossed with a death ray... kewwwwl!

Get it for AUD$144.25 here --> [HOTJUMP]

Solar Powered Balls

Welly welly well they think of everything don't they? Solar powered Balls in Blue, Red or White - what next?!

Okay so this is along the lines of your solar powered garden lights with a solar panel and an extra bright LED.

Charge them up in the sunlight (no kidding) and they'll last for up to 24hrs of continuous use.

You can even float these in your pool or pond! Neat!

Get them from gadgetcentral.com.au for AUD$24.95

Xbox 360 Australian release date - March 2 2006

Microsoft have set a date for the Xbox 360 launch in Australia and it is March 2, 2006.

The system will be available for AUD$649.95 which includes the console, 20Gb hard drive, media remote, wireless controller, component HD cable and Ethernet cable or AUD$499.95 for the core system which includes the console, a wired controller and a component HD cable.

With a bit of luck by then they'll have fixed the overheating problem that's been reported on 'some' Xbox 360's in the US, which apparently causes the system to freeze or display various error messages. It's not clear if its a major problem but Microsoft are saying that the problem is not widespread.

Personally I'll be holding off till at least the first price drop (and also to make sure they've fixed the problems I've been hearing about).

Find out more on the xbox site here --> [JUMP]

Smallville - QX5 USB Digital Microscope

Looking for a geeky Christmas present for your nerdy nephew? Look no further - suitable for kids over 8 - or budding brainwaves over 5 would love this, and older geeks like me will get a buzz out of this too.

This is a microscope with 10x, 60x and 200x magnification which you view through your computer! That's right this microscope plugs straight into your computers USB port and lets you view and capture images and video from the world of small.

If you want to see the results - check out the video clips and pics here --> [TINYJUMP]

Or buy one online at expansys here [JUMP] for AUD$168.95

Software is included for PC but if you want to run this on a Mac, don't freak out alright.. just settle down you crazy Apple lovers - you can get software to run this on a Mac here [MACOPHILEJUMP] for a small additional fee. - you'd be used to paying a little bit more anyway.

Shell Shocker Cyber Shell

This is a cooool remote control beast - about the size of a bowling ball and fairly heavy.

It transforms from the 'shield mode' ball shape to an extended shape as it powers over obsticles. (& does so quite well!)

This is definately one for the boys and definately on the Hot List for Christmas - I might to buy one for.. um.. my son.

It doesn't come with a battery, you'll need to purchase the Tyco Pro Flexpak battery and one 9-volt battery for the transmitter. Charging takes about 6 hrs but last for quite a while.

Get it for about AUD$185 from peedeetoys.com.au, dstore.com.au or toys'r'us.

USB Christmas Jollies

Get some Christmas cheer going on in your office cubicle - just plug this into your computer and let the merriement begin!

Features flashing blue LED's, plays 5 really awful carols and has a Start & (more importantly) STOP button.

This would make a good office christmas gift .. or you could buy one for yourself.. go on you have a USB hub sitting there with some empty ports!

Get it for AUD$29.00 including shipping here [SANTAJUMP]

Spy Robot - Remote Spy Rover

There are a lot of RC toys at around this price point, it's nice to see something a bit different.

The Spy Rover features a Robo-Claw (the grabber at the front), voice recording and a bright LED for 'night missions'. It also has a storage area.

Personally I think the word "Robo" should be reserved for things that have automatic functions.. not remote control toys.

The idea is you can sneak this into your sisters room and record her very important conversations about you.

It's kind-of-cool but doesn't live up to my expectations.

The voice recording is crappy as you'd expect.. and it is slow.. and a bit on the noisy side... on the positive side it looks cool and does more than just 'drive around'.

Available in Australia for AUD$77.99 [ROBO-JUMP]