Electronic Gadgets

Four Attractant Mosquito Trap

Certain mosquitoes do carry some deadly diseases, and it goes without saying that they are a pest which we could all do without. I’m not too sure how it will affect the overall ecological system though, but surely frogs and other carnivores who feast on mosquitoes can find other insects to keep themselves full?

Us as humans can do our part to make sure that these little critters will not be able to feast on our blood for long, especially when we’re outdoors, with the Four Attractant Mosquito Trap. This unique device will emit light, vibrations, heat, and a scent which will be able to attract and kill mosquitoes across the length and breadth of one acre.

An LED light oscillates at frequencies which have long been proven to appeal to mosquitoes’ spectral sensitivity, where the trap itself is capable of producing gentle vibrations which will excite the pesky insects, drawing them in to their death knell. Infrared heat is also emitted to simulate human body temperature as it produces the smell of octenol (more scientifically inclined readers would know that this is the same chemical in human breath and sweat) that will further enhance its ability to lure mosquitoes to the trap.

More or less capable of “ushering” mosquitoes to a certain death trap, any one of them who are unfortunate enough to gravitate to the unit will see a fan pulls them into a collection net, where they will be trapped for all eternity (insert evil laughter here) and die of dehydration in due time. Hmmm, interesting – I do wonder just how much water does a mosquito need in order to survive – we wish there was a way to zap all of them in the trapped compartment for a fast death.

So far, an independent medical entomologist has tested leading traps and the four attractant mosquito trap managed to capture 1,343 mosquitoes per night, which is a whole lot better compared to competing models which collected as few as 215. To sweeten the deal and make this all the more environmentally friendly, an integrated digital timer will turn the trap on and off at any time (and any day) of your choice.

Each $249.99 purchase comes with an octenol strip which can last for up to 30 days. It is powered via an AC outlet, and has a 60′ cord to extend its reach far and wide in and around your home.

TI-Nspire CX makes the transition to the world of color

Texas Instruments, or TI for short, has long been associated with the world of graphing calculators, and this time around, the company has more or less outdone itself wtih their latest release, the TI-Nspire CX. What makes this model stand out from the rest of the crowd? For starters, it will now boast color capability, which means that the world of black and white is now a thing of the past.

The TI-Nspire CX has already undergone the hoops and tests presented by the FCC, so it has it made and is more than ready to help you part with your hard-earned money if a color graphing calculator is the thing you need. More on this interesting device in the extended post.

Apart from the big shock that it features a 16-bit, 320 x 240 display, one that is full well capable of 64,000 colors. This isn’t the first in the world though, since the Casio Prizm hit the markets last month. Similar to the Prizm, the Nspire CX can also load image files that are provided by the user and curve fitting functions, or performing regressions, onto those images.

In a demonstration, it let students guess and check coefficients in order to match the equation of a parabola that is formed by a water fountain. The equation actually appeared on the screen simultaneously with the image. When it comes to image file types supported, you need not twirl your fingers in doubt since most major image file types are supported, such as JPG, BMP, and PNG.

The TI-Nspire CX also boasts 3D capability, bringing it up to par with the latest and greatest where graphing calculators are concerned. This will definitely have students wondering just why didn’t this come out before? Well, no complaints now as technology has finally become cheap enough to go mainstream, and we do know that the color TI-Nspire CX will arrive in stores in early to mid April.

Zero XU Electric Motorcycle Features Removable Battery

If you’re an urban dweller who has always wanted an electric motorcycle but just didn’t have the proper hook up to charge the thing—let’s face it, taking one of these things up a flight of stairs wouldn’t be pretty–Zero motorcycles has launched a new unit (the Zero XU) for you.  The XU features a removable battery pack that you can take inside with you (leaving the bulky motorcycle bit outside).  The battery pack can be charged from a regular outlet in just a few hours and makes owning an electric cycle that much more appealing.
This thing is also quite a looker.  Unlike some electric motorcycles that attempt to got all eco-ugly, the Zero XU keeps the classic motorcycle look.  In fact, from a distance you may not even be able to tell this model runs on a battery.

What isn’t exactly appealing is the short 30 mile range (that gives you roughly a 15 mile radius of travel) before the juice runs out.  It’s perfect if your commute is short but if you get stuck in traffic you might find yourself stopping off for coffee and raiding the café’s outlets for electricity.
At almost 8 grand the Zero XU isn’t cheap but it’s $2,000 cheaper than the next closest Zero bike.  With that discount you can grab up a couple of extra battery packs and keep one strapped to the back of the biked for emergencies.