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Emergency Gadgets Reviewed
Carl Bialik writes "When power lines go down, hand-cranked radios and standalone cellphone chargers could come in handy. Wall Street Journal columnist Walt Mossberg reviews emergency gadgets, including a $50 radio that picks up TV audio and gets 35 minutes of power from a 30-second crank. Of course, Mossberg also offers the caveat that these gadgets could be rendered useless 'should the communications infrastructure itself go down.'"
Fire extinguisher. You know, for when the servers catch fire during the slashdotting.
It doesn't have a handcrank but it has a pump and a trigger.
Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.
After thirty seconds of cranking I'm usually asleep for thirty-five minutes!
;)
Sorry, I couldn't resist
Compact Power Systems also introduced a product called the iRecharge, a rechargeable portable battery that fits snugly around your iPod, iPod mini or iPod shuffle giving the iPod and iPod mini 12 hours of extra play time and the iPod shuffle 40 extra hours.
I mean, in an emergency, I want my iPod recharged!
I don't see many people during a disaster, finding the manual, and trying to find out how to use the power switch - "Hmmmm, now how do use the on switch?"
Evil people don't think they're evil. - George Lucas, Making of Ep III
Anyone have a hand-crankable EMP?
Mossberg also offers the caveat that these gadgets could be rendered useless 'should the communications infrastructure itself go down.'"
He doesn't even mention what would happen if your arms fall off. Myself, I'm setting up a nuclear-powered radio station/TV studio so if the communications infrastructure goes down I'm covered.
[...]these gadgets could be rendered useless 'should the communications infrastructure itself go down.'
If you can no longer get shortwave signals on your radio because the communications infrastructure itself went down, listening to the latest news is the least of your problems. You should be looking for the stone ax and the closest cave to move into.
Sweet, now I can listen to the Playboy channel when the Apocalypse comes. Nothin better than a little porn to calm those nerves.
Compact Power Systems also introduced a product called the iRecharge, a rechargeable portable battery that fits snugly around your iPod, iPod mini or iPod shuffle giving the iPod and iPod mini 12 hours of extra play time and the iPod shuffle 40 extra hours. It has an on/off switch, so you can charge your iPod as needed, as well as a charge-level indicator that glows to tell you how much juice is left.
My house is destroyed, I have no food and water, but thank god I can still listen to U2 - Vertigo!
I can get 35 minutes of pleasure from a 30 second crank.
Copies of Slashdot screenshots printed and laminated.
...or you could just buy an inverter for about $50.
If you have a Pontiac Vibe or Toyota Matrix (same car, different shell) you have a 110V outlet on the dash already (100W Max).
Breaking news: Some of the other emergency supplies you purchase (food, medicine, batteries) may also become unusable sometime in the future because of a limited shelflife.
Because of this, I recommend holding off on purchases of emergency supplies until a few days before the emergency happens, that way freshness and technological protocol compliance can be assured. Alternately, don't schedule any emergencies until after a digital television compliant emergency radio is available for purchase.
(PS, the radio also picks up... radio.)
Sounds like a horror movie plotline. "They warned him not to release the giant spring. He didn't listen."