visor

Foil face-recognition cameras with Privacy Visor

Worried about all those security cameras tracking your every move? Try rocking one of these visors and enjoy anonymity once again.

At least that's what Isao Echizen from Japan's National Institute of Informatics is trying to achieve with the Privacy Visor (PDF).

Developed with Seiichi Gohshi of Kogakuin University, the visor has a near-infrared light source that messes up cameras but doesn't affect the wearer's vision, according to the institute. … Read more

The 404 1,150: Where burritos > bagels (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- It's It: The story of the Bay Area's most famous dessert, or, the other San Francisco treat.

- This is why we behave so strangely in elevators.

- Snopes debunks "Elevator Express" trick.

Bathroom break video: Empty America series profiles San Francisco.

Episode 1,150 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  

The 404 802: Where we're breaking bread with the Gut Man (podcast)

The Audiophiliac Steve Guttenberg makes an unusual midweek appearance on today's 404 episode and as usual, the discussion topics cover Steve's audiocentric stream of consciousness with a touch of disillusionment, like a Web site that takes the creativity out of naming your band, a mask that enhances audio, the unnatural origins of 3D, and the degrading quality of CD-Rs over time.

The 404 Digest for Episode 802

Korn and Hoobastank should've used Band Name Maker. Tape Op magazine offers free subscriptions to print edition. Add Steve Guttenberg on Twitter. Check out Steve's blog on all things audio, The Audiophiliac.

Episode 802 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Moshi set to ship iVisor AG 'bubble free' screen protector for iPad 2

Putting a thin-film screen protector on your iPad or iPad 2 can be a difficult task no matter how closely you follow the instructions. However, Moshi, which makes its iVisor AG for the iPad--and now the iPad 2--solves the problem with a special screen shield that's thin yet rigid and adheres to the iPad's display more easily without trapping those nasty bubbles.

Moshi says the iVisor AG also features an antireflective matte finish that helps "reduce glare and smudging" while "retaining optimal touch-screen sensitivity and feedback." (You can use capacitive touch-screen styluses with it.) The shield can also be peeled off and re-applied and comes in both black and white.

We haven't got a review sample of the new iPad 2 version yet, but we can say that reviews for the iPad version have been very positive. The only downside: the iVisor AG for iPad 2 costs $30. … Read more

Play games on the visor (if you're not driving)

As impressive as the GPS Bluetooth rear-view mirror may be, its functions are pretty boring for the most part. At least, that's how it looks when compared with something like this multimedia visor.

Other visors with built-in TVs and DVD players have been around for awhile, but this one is out of control--which, by the way, is exactly what the driver would be if he gets distracted by it. Even though it's on the passenger side, there's no way to completely ignore a visor that lets you play games on its 7-inch LCD and comes with two gamepad controllers … Read more

Gold Lantern VisorTalk: Bluetooth car speakerphone with caller ID

There are plenty of Bluetooth hands-free speakerphones for the car out there, but the Gold Lantern VisorTalk distinguishes itself with a caller ID display--all the better to screen calls while you're on the road. Otherwise, the VisorTalk--so named because it clips to the sun visor--has all the standard features covered: It sports Bluetooth 2.0 (for pairing with any compatible cell phone) and a full duplex speakerphone, and the rechargeable battery is rated at 8 hours talk time and 200 hours standby (a car charger is included). And that "H" button centered below the display is a &… Read more

Solar hats are making headway, unfortunately

Finally, the solar-powered fan hat has a mate. Let's have a round of applause for the "Solar-Powered Visor Radio."

Like its counterpart, this is a functional piece of headgear that makes use of the sun's rays to impress your friends, but for entertainment purposes as well as protection from melanoma and heat stroke. The visor has a speaker on each side, Gearfuse says, piping in tunes from a built-in AM/FM tuner.

It just goes to show that being green is no guarantee of immunity from the dreaded Date Repellant Syndrome.

New Nano hat for the fashion-challenged

If there's one thing we've learned in this world, it's that dorkdom knows no bounds. To wit: Barely weeks after posting an item on the "iXoundWear" iPod hat, a new version is already out.

The latest fashion accessory (cough) is made especially to fit the third-generation iPod, according to iLounge, along with an attractive pair of bendable plastic spools to keep your headphone wires from strangling you during the a particularly raucous DDR session. There is, however, one silver lining in this aesthetically challenged cloud: At least the new Nano is smaller so maybe not … Read more

More ways to wear an iPod on your head

Silly us. It had been awhile since we'd seen an example of the ridiculous headgear flooding the market, so we naively thought companies had come to their senses and stopped making the ludicrous devices.

Then, of course, along comes something like "iXoundWear" to bring us back to reality. Although not quite as doofus-looking as the "iWalk," the iXoundWear line nonetheless is full of effective date-repelling products. And they can keep you free on Saturday nights all year 'round, because they come in styles that range from apparel appropriate for summertime (visors) through winter (knit caps), … Read more