Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of the Year (With Videos!)

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Microsoft Photosynth | Free

This remarkable software, which can be downloaded for free, analyzes dozens (or hundreds) of photos taken of a location or subject—the Eiffel Tower, say, or a room in a museum. It looks for overlapping points in the images, then arranges the snapshots into a browsable 3D model. The result is a fresh way to organize and share photography—opening up new possibilities for a 180-year-old art form.

CLICK FOR MORE Check Out All of the 2008 Breakthrough Products
Microsoft Photosynth	Spore	Amazon Kindle	Livescribe Pulse Smartpen	Craftsman Nextec Multi-Saw
Potenco PCG1 Power Generator	Nissan Around View Monitor	M-Spector Digital Inspection Camera	Intel Atom Processor	Caroma Profile Smart Dual Flush Toilet

13. RE: Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of the Year (With Videos!)
In the 1970's I first saw the idea of the sink toilet in Japan. Even then it was commonplace. I have thought it is time to move the cistern off to the side to fit this idea into more bathrooms so it can be used broadly in Australia.

12. re: sink/toilet
The obvious drawbacks... basin is too small which means lots of water will end up on the floor and toilet seat from washing unless you're really, really careful. And...standing normally at the sink is not possible since the base of the toilet is in the way. Other than that, it's okay.

11. RE: Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of the Year (With Videos!)
"I like all the new human powered devices being made but it's strange that they all seem to be designed for arm use." Who says you have to use your arm? As they pointed out in the one-laptop-per-child (laptop.org), the idea behind a drawstring as opposed to crank is that you can hook the drawstring up to anything, including a foot treadle. Yeah, the generator idea is old too, just like the borescope. The pen is kinda cool, but the Kindle and the saw pretty much smack of what the Myth Busters were complaining about in their "Tech Headaches" article here: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/upgrade/4243994.html?page=1

10. RE: Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of the Year (With Videos!)
That's the top, TOP (TOP?) 10 picks for the year? Talk about a recession! I laughed when I saw the toilet sink...yeah, I've been to Japan. The rest of the list should be flushed down it.

9. RE: Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of the Year (With Videos!)
I like all the new human powered devices being made but it's strange that they all seem to be designed for arm use. Legs are much better suited to do the repetitive task of generating power. Not only because they have more endurance but they are also much more capable of doing work passively; allowing the arms and mind to go about their business.

8. RE: Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of the Year (With Videos!)
Prisons have had toilets like that since the 1950s...you can see them in "Escape from Alcatraz."

7. RE: Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of the Year (With Videos!)
Website: www.mrbuf.com
That smart toilet is not a new invention. It has been in Oklahoma County jails since 2001.

6. RE: Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of the Year (With Videos!)
These have been in Japan for a long time. Is the new feature that its dual flush as well?

5. RE: Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of the Year (With Videos!)
Website: twitter.com/steepdecline
Anyone who's been to japan since 1980 will have a chuckle at this one. About as common as street lights

4. RE: Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of the Year (With Videos!)
Congratulations to Amazon and the Kindle! I love my Kindle and use it every day without fail. The wireless connectivity, the scalable font and the easy to read eInk screen make it fantastic!

3. RE: Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of the Year (With Videos!)
I third the motion. I've lived in Japan for eight years and I don't think I've ever been in a house that _didn't_ have a toilet just like this one. It's nice to see the idea making its way across the Pacific, but "innovative" it's certainly not.

2. RE: Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of the Year (With Videos!)
Exactly what I was going to say. The house I stayed in there was built in the 60's and had one of these installed back then......crazy that it is "innovative" in the USA.

1. RE: Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of the Year (With Videos!)
Japan has had these for decades. Why is this grouped with "brilliant gadgets"?

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