BOY’S TOYS
Introducing “Bam Bam” Bamford.
“The embossed numbers on a typical card have been replaced with an e-ink touch screen, which can morph into any of your credit or debit cards.”
AIRBORNE ACTION
Our ever-handy phones are great for capturing embarrassing moments to blackmail friends on their Facebook feeds. But it gets a little dull with the never-ending catalogue of oh-no-he-didn’t drunken snogs and gay boy antics. We want some action shots, preferably of ourselves. Enter the 3D Robotics Iris+. This marvel gives you a drone as your personal airborne video camera crew!
Aboard this cr aft is a computer with “follow me” technology. It latches onto your GPS-enabled Android device to follow you in your pursuits. The results are stunning. Skiing, cycling, snowboarding, or surfing under the IRIS+ will show you at your kick-ass best. Perfect to add some action-man shots to your online profiles.
With a long flight time and autonomous tracking, the hands-free aerial Iris+ follows you front, back, from the sides, and even wraps around as if you’re being directed by Spielberg. Attach the stabilised gimbal with a GoPro video camera and it’ll lock onto you to keep the camera focused on the same location throughout the flight. Don’t have an Android phone? No problem. Pre-program a flight plan into its mission planning software on your Mac or Windows machine. It’s also smart enough to return home if it runs out of battery or range. Around $1,300 for the IRIS+. Gimbal and GoPro not included. www.3drobotics.com/iris
FANTASTIC PLASTIC
Credit cards are so old school. Baby Boomers thought they were so cool pulling out a platinum Amex to get the attention of that hot shop boy. But we need something new to put the fantastic back into plastic.
Enter the Plastc digital credit card. Although it looks exactly like a credit card (same size, same shape), it’s actually a tiny computer. The embossed numbers on a typical card have been replaced with an e-ink touch screen, which can morph into any of your credit or debit cards. Use it anywhere normal plastic cards are used. With a swipe, tell Plastic which card it should mimic, then use it at the cashier or ATM.
Program Plastc to impersonate any of your credit, debit or loyalty cards, and its display magically updates to show the correct numbers. Before putting into the ATM, select a card on your Plastc that will incur the least charges by the bank. It’s brilliant. Around $200 pre-order.
www.plastc.com
HUE CAN’T GO WRONG
The modern gay boy will attach anything to his home network. His phone blasts Gaga to his wifi speakers, his television downloads Bel Ami, and his wifi freezer routinely bemoans it’s empty of vodka. Next to be networked is his personal mood lighting.
Philips Hue is a system of networked LED wireless lightbulbs that can be controlled remotely from your phone. Each bulb is independently tuned to a colour in a palette of millions. They look fantastic and set the mood perfectly for that Grindr hottie about to knock on the door. Use your phone’s camera and the app will adjust the lights to match a photo or painting. Program them to dim, flash or wash seamlessly between a rainbow of colours.
A library of third-party apps provides even more functionality. The most fun is Ambify. This app listens to the music playing through iTunes and automagically adjusts the LED colours to the rhythm of the beat. Create your own disco! Philips Hue Starter Kit $295. Ambify $3.
www2.meethue.com.getambify.com