Explainer: Test Categorical Explainer
-
This is my test Categorical Explainer
-
One
The summer is now officially upon us, and that means kids are going to be out of school and ready to sit in front of the TV playing video games for hours on end. No, that's not right — they should be playing outside! These toys are exactly the kind of incentive they will need. Plus I'm not ashamed to admit that I would love to play with some of these toys myself, but my married couple friends never seem to want to hang out and go sledding on a grassy hill — or a slide down giant inflatable Titanic.
-
HandTrux shovels
Uncommon Goods / Nerd Approved
Kids will love playing in sand at the beach with these HandTrux shovels! They can pretend their bodies transform into construction equipment. Adults love it because they can tell their kids that digging up flower beds and scooping up dog poop is a game. Child labor has never been more fun! $18 Uncommon Goods via Nerd Approved
-
The Year 'Round Sled
Hammacher Schlemmer
Whether your on a snow-covered hill in the winter or a lush grass-covered hill in the summer, the Year 'Round Sled lives up to its name. In the summer, ice molds that attach to the bottom of the sled are removed, filled with water and frozen - providing a slick surface to propel kids down hills with short cut grass. And the best part is that these "kids" can be up to 200 lbs! I used to play a similar game at my local golf course as a kid, only I didn't have a sled and the patrons were none too pleased. Neither was my mother now that I think about it. There are some grass stains Tide just can't get out. $89.95 Hammacher Schlemmer
-
"Angry Birds" dodgeballs
ToyWhiz / Nerd Approved
The game "Angry Birds" is coming perilously close to wearing out its welcome thanks to a merchandising blitz that puts even "Star Wars" to shame, but I have to admit that these dodgeballs actually make some sense. These rubber birds will be ready to terrorize pigs on the playground starting later this month. And if one of these pigs happens to be green, that's probably because he got pelted in the stomach with an "Angry Birds" ball after gorging himself on a summer meal of pizza and saltwater taffy washed down with an ICEE. $16.99 ToyWhiz via Nerd Approved
-
Live Action Infrared Skeet Shooter
Hammacher Schlemmer
Spend a lazy summer afternoon grilling in the backyard and shooting skeet with an infrared gun. Disks are ejected from the trap up to 7-feet in the air at either 2-second or 10-second intervals. When a target is “hit” with an infrared beam from the gun, it will break apart into two pieces. The gun must be "reloaded" before each shot with a pumping action, which will be rewarded with a realistic loading sound. The product page claims that the 7-foot launching height makes it suitable for indoor use, but that seems like a recipe for disaster. Precious family heirlooms passed down from generation to generation — finally done in by an indoor skeet shoot. I'll bet your ancestors didn't see that coming. $49.95 Hammacher Schlemmer via Nerd Approved
-
PoolJet
Fire Box / Nerd Approved
The PoolJet is a battery-powered mini sea scooter designed for kids. It's great for new swimmers or advanced kids that want to try their hand at some underwater acrobatics. The product page claims it's good for kids "4 and over", which means I just might be able to use it to lazily propel myself through the water to a poolside bar at the hotel. $161 Firebox via Nerd Approved
-
More craziness from Nerd Approved:
-
RC Cars
I loved playing with RC cars during my summer breaks when I was a kid. I would still love them, only as an adult I would demand something a bit more sophisticated. Something like this record-setting Schumacher Mi3 built by Nic Case. It features a carbon fiber chassis, and 11 horsepower motor and a top speed of 161.76 mph — good enough for a word record. Failing that, I would love an RC truck that's capable of towing a car. Don't be surprised if you see me riding to the grocery store on top of one of those. YouTube
-
Water knee hockey
Hammacher Schlemmer
Combine a Slip 'n Slide with an air hockey table and you have yourself an awesomely fun summer afternoon. Thirty tiny nozzles line both sides of the rink, spraying 24-inch high fountains of water across the playing surface from a standard garden hose. Players can then snapshot the oversized plastic puck into the inflatable goals using a plastic hockey stick. Of course, a fight is inevitable (this is hockey after all), but instead of fists you can settle your differences using the next toy on this list. It's a lot more fun and everyone keeps their teeth. $49.95 Hammacher Schlemmer
-
Super Soaker Thunderstorm
Hydro Cannon / Nerd Approved
There are bigger Super Soaker guns on the market (like the new Hydro Cannon), but if you want a rapid-fire precision weapon — reach for the Thunderstorm. It's fully automatic with a range of up to 25-feet and it utilizes magazines to reload. That means the muscles in your arm won't atrophy as you frantically try and pump up the Hydro Cannon 20 times for a full-charge blast. The Hydro Cannon may shoot more water than the Thunderstorm, but its kind of like bringing a musket to a machine gun fight. $11.96 Amazon
-
Sinking Titanic Inflatable Slide
Fun Makers / Nerd Approved
This 25-foot tall inflatable Titanic slide simulates what it must have been like to slide down the deck of a gigantic sinking ship to your doom. Only I'm pretty sure nobody on the actual ship went "wheeeeeee!" all the way down. $11,500 Fun-Makers via Nerd Approved
-
Cardboard box wheels
Nerd Approved
It seems that a big cardboard box is always more entertaining for kids than the gift inside it, which is why you might want to grab some of these reusable cardboard box wheels. It will keep kids busy outside for hours as they imagine that their cardboard box is actually a race car or a spaceship (draw the line if they head for the pool and try to launch an amphibious car), and you'll save tons of money on summer toys. $13.95 Amazon
-
More craziness from Nerd Approved:
-
Two
What do you get for the man that has everything? Usually I get him a gift certificate to the local golf store. Seriously, my father is the hardest person on Earth to buy for. However, if cost was immaterial, I think I'd buy him a Mobile Beer Bar, the VirtualGT racing simulator or an OfficePod for peace and quiet.
OK, maybe I'm just hoping someone would get those things for me. Seriously, I would lock myself into the pod to cook meat and drink beer — while virtually racing.
-
Mobile beer bar
Alpina / Nerd Approved
Alpina's mobile beer bar includes a grilling surface and a kegerator.Alpina’s latest creation, the Mobile Beer Bar, is nothing short of a miracle. If Indiana Jones wore a grilling apron instead of a leather jacket, and used a spatula instead of a whip, this is what he would have pulled out of that snake pit in "Raiders." It includes a grilling surface and a kegerator on one swanky looking mobile sled. $11,000 Alpina via That's Nerdalicious
-
Collapsible bike
If your father enjoys cycling he will undoubtedly enjoy one of these "International" bikes from Japanese bike-builder Kinfolk and the Portland-based paint company Coat. The entire bike can be broken down and transported in a stylish bag that even puts my mother's travel bag to shame. Seriously, I could have asked her for a candelabra on a road trip and I'm confident she could have procured it. Nivaldo de Lima’s bike bag alone will set you back $3,900; then you can choose between two bikes, one with a dark blue 54cm frame which will cost around $3,800, or one with a light blue 58cm frame for around $4,700. The price is justified because every aspect of the bikes are supposed to be top notch, and are offered as a limited edition run of one each. Wallpaper via CubicleBotWallpaper / Nerd Approved
-
Star Trek replica Captain's Chair
Entertainment Earth / Nerd Approved
My father has an Archie Bunker kind of mentality towards his chair. It's his throne, and we wouldn't dare sit in it when he's around. He may even have telepathic bond with it since he's commanded us to move without actually being in the room on more than one occasion. That having been said, this Star Trek chair would be a worthy seat of command as it's a hand-crafted, screen accurate replica from the original series complete with light-up LED buttons. Of course, his captain's log might be a little on the dull side with entries like "watched golf and fell asleep." $5,499.99 Entertainment Earth via Nerd Approved
-
More craziness from Nerd Approved:
-
OfficePod
As someone who works from home, I can attest to the fact that it is essential to try and separate your work space and your home space. The ideal solution would be to build an office that is detached from the main house. One way to achieve this quickly and easily is through the UK-based OfficePod. They come to your home, install one of their high-quality, modular Pod structures, and your home office is up and running in just a few hours. If you ever decide to move, OfficePod will transport the structure for you. It's a great place to work, but it's also a great way for Dad to, as he says, "get away from you people." OfficePodOfficePod / Nerd Approved
-
HD3 Slyde watch
Have you ever seen one of those bands that converts an iPod nano into a watch? Well, the HD3 Slyde makes that look like something you got for your dad out of a gumball machine in in a Walmart lobby. The Slyde is a high-end Swiss watch with a touchscreen UI and a curved design that’s actually going to be comfortable on the wrist. They will also release several custom digital watch dials each year that you can swap in and out for around $50-$100 apiece (perhaps even more for special editions). Pricing for the HD3 Slyde will start at around $5,000. Slyde and A Blog to Read via Fashionably Geek
-
Carbon fiber guitar
These days you can find just about anything made with carbon fiber - from cars to toilets. So it's not surprising to find out that guitar makers are making good use of the material as well. Blackbird Guitars is one of these companies, and they claim that their carbon fiber guitars are among the lightest and richest-sounding in the world. Their Blackbird Rider travel model, for example, weights less than three pounds and supposedly packs a huge sound into a tiny body by extending the shoulder all the way to the 10th fret. They've also carved an asymmetrical hole in the body that acts like an amplifier. It also looks like something Darth Vader would play the "Imperial March" on. Prices start at $1,600. Blackbird GuitarsBlackbird Guitars / Nerd Approved
-
BeoVision 4 85-Inch 3D TV
Some say that 3-D is the future of television, and you had better hope they are correct because your dad would look pretty ridiculous if he's stuck with an $85,000, 85-inch plasma Bang & Olufsen 3-D TV and nothing to watch. It's kind of like if you went to a friend's house for a movie and he whipped out "Top Gun" on Laserdisc. Additional features include a motorized viewing stand and a BeoLab 10 center channel speaker. A 103-inch version is also expected to arrive sometime later this summer. Bang & OlufsenBang & OIufsen / Nerd Approved
-
Steampunk Laptop
Richard "Datamancer" Nagy has become well known for his intricate, custom steampunk devices, and now he has begun taking pre-orders for these masterpieces, complete with features like Victorian designs and engravings, a key-shaped USB drive, real wood and brass styling, and fancy clockwork. Each laptop will carry a Windows OS, with the first round expected to sell for $5,500. However, he says that future laptops could go for as much as $7,500. You'll be computing like it's 1899 — but don't expect your processor to be steam-powered. Datamancer via CubicleBotDatamancer / Nerd Approved
-
VirualGT racing simulator
Chances are the dad who has everything also has a pretty sweet ride. Unfortunately, it's not like he can go out and do donuts in the cul-de-sac. The good news is that for $20,000 you can purchase a professional quality racing simulator where there are no speed limits and no chance that his poor eyesight will result in the untimely death of pedestrians and the destruction of sidewalk fruit stands. Features include a 500-watt speaker system, 4-corner independent suspension, an adjustable chassis, force feedback and cutting edge racing software. VirtualGTVirtual GT / Nerd Approved
-
WilliamsWarn Personal Brewery
As long as your getting your old man a Mobile Beer Bar, you might as well get him something he can use to keep the supply of beer flowing. The WilliamsWarn personal brewery claims to help users brew "world class" beer that's ready to drink in seven days. And the best part is that it requires only a fraction of the effort put forth by a traditional homebrewer. That's definitely a good thing, since he's not getting any younger and the last thing you want him doing is lifting heavy pots around. Oops! He's fallen and he can't get up. Did he break a hip or is he just drunk again? $4,473 WilliamsWarn via That's Nerdalicious -
More craziness from Nerd Approved:
-
Three
What would be the first thing you would do if money was no object? Would you continue to live modestly, would you buy a nice house, or would you sail the Seven Seas aboard a Titanic-sized yacht made from solid gold that has an onboard laser defense system and a petting zoo? If you'd head for the yacht, the following gadgets are for you.
-
iPhone 4 Diamond Rose
Stuart Hughes
Designer Stuart Hughes is known for his over-the-top luxury creations, and his iPhone 4 Diamond Rose is touted as "the world's most expensive phone" with a price tag over $8 million (only 2 were made). The bezel is handmade from rose gold with 500 individual flawless diamonds totaling over 100 carats. Add another 53 diamonds for the Apple logo and a single cut 7.4-carat pink diamond inside the platinum navigation button and you have yourself one blinding piece of bling. They even toss in an 8-carat single cut flawless diamond to replace the pink one if you would like to switch things up. At night, you can put this baby to bed in a chest made from a single block of leather-lined granite. Of course, I wouldn't be caught dead with an obsolete phone, so I guess this one will end up in my old gadget drawer underneath all my extra USB cords and batteries until I get around to selling it on Cragislist. Any takers? Stuart Hughes
-
Linea Pro Swarovski Crystal C2 Flat Iron
Aveyou
This Linea Pro Flatiron features 2543 genuine, hand applied Swarovski crystals and comes with a certificate of authenticity and a plaque from the Swarovski factory in London to prove it.After you've stepped out of your champagne bath and dried off with a towel made from the fur of a genuine Bigfoot, make sure your in-house stylist uses the Linea Pro flat iron to fix your hair. It features 2543 genuine, hand applied Swarovski crystals and comes with a certificate of authenticity and a plaque from the Swarovski factory in London to prove it. $850 - Aveyou
-
Kohler Numi Toilet
Kohler
This $6400 toilet features a built-in music system, ambient lighting, touchscreen remote, motion-activated lid and seat, retracting bidet, air dryer, air deodorizer, heated seat, floor vents to keep your feet warm and customizable options for every family member in your home.Have you ever pulled off the highway in the middle of nowhere to get gas at some nasty old station? And while you were pumping, that Big Gulp caught up to you, so you went inside to get the bathroom key attached to a hubcap? Well, the horrors you witnessed in that bathroom are the exact opposite of what you can expect with the Kohler Numi toilet. It features a built-in music system, ambient lighting, touchscreen remote, motion-activated lid and seat, retracting bidet, air dryer, air deodorizer, heated seat, floor vents to keep your feet warm and customizable options for every family member in your home. $6400 - Kohler
-
iPad 2 Gold History Edition
Stuart Hughes
At $8 million, this is possibly the world's most expensive iPad. It's encrusted with 12.5-carats of flawless diamonds, 53 individually set sparkling gems set in a solid 24-carat gold Apple logo on a 24-carat gold rear plate that weighs an insane 4.4 pounds
That's right, Stuart Hughes is back again with what is likely to be the world's most expensive iPad 2. It's encrusted with 12.5 carats of flawless diamonds, 53 individually set sparkling gems set in a solid 24-carat gold Apple logo on a 24-carat gold rear plate that weighs an insane 4.4 pounds (heavy enough to snap off the fragile arms of trust fund beneficiaries who haven't worked a day in their lives). But that's not all — the front frame is made from 75 million-year old Ammolite with sections from a 65 million-year old T-Rex thigh bone splintered and shaved into the stone. Seriously…no kidding dinosaur bones — but we're not done yet! There's still the matter of a single cut 8.5-carat flawless diamond inlaid into a platinum navigation button surrounded by an additional 12 flawless diamonds. This can all be yours for the low, low price of $8 million. Stuart Hughes -
Segway PT i2 Ferrari Edition
Ferrari
This Segway i2 doesn't appear to be any different from the stock version, save for a red paint job, Ferrari logo, leather handlebar bag and a $10,200 price tag.What do you drive? Well, I drive a Ferrari. Now come rolling up to her doorstep in this Ferrari Segway with a little red bike helmet on. Technically, you weren't lying! Basically, this Segway i2 doesn't appear to be any different from the stock version, save for a red paint job, Ferrari logo, leather handlebar bag and a $10,200 price tag. Ferrari
-
Electrolux Swarovski crystal vacuum cleaner
Pocket-Lint
This Electrolux vacuum cleaner is encrusted with 3730 Swarovski crystals and is priced at $23,000.What does the filthy rich person get for the maid that has everything? How about an Electrolux 3730 vacuum cleaner encrusted with 3730 Swarovski crystals? It's both generous and insulting! According to the Guinness Book of World Records, it's the most valuable vacuum cleaner in the world at around $23,000. It was originally intended as a one-off piece, but Electrolux claims that another model could be procured if anyone had the desire. Pocket-Lint
-
More craziness from Nerd Approved:
-
24-carat gold Kindle
Amosu Couture
This 24-carat gold Kindle costs $1965.
Have you ever seen that Amazon Kindle commercial with the woman lying next to the pool feeling all smug about how much cheaper her Kindle was than an iPad? Well, if she had Amosu Coutor's 24-carat gold plated version she would feel like a complete moron. A 3G version would have set her back $1965. Amosu Couture -
Harry Winston Opus Eleven watch
Harry Winston
The Harry Winston Opus Eleven watch features three cylinders that 'deconstruct' time and reassemble it on every hour using a complex set of gears.
Let's face it, most people use their cell phone to tell the time these days. Despite that, watchmakers have been thriving by compensating with increasingly unique and experimental designs that cater to people that appreciate style and mechanical precision. There are plenty of unique watches to be had for $200 or less, but the Harry Winston Opus Eleven definitely isn't one of them at $250,000 each. There are more expensive watches for sure, but the Opus Eleven is indicative of the design boundaries that are being pushed. It features three cylinders that "deconstruct" time and reassemble it on every new hour using a complex set of gears. For the rest of the time, you can just use your diamond encrusted iPhone to find out when you need to be at the helipad for your trip to the trendy restaurant three blocks away. Harry Winston -
Golden cell phone-equipped coffin
France24 via Nerd Approved
This gold plated coffin comes with a golden cell phone display — you simply can't put a price on the peace of mind that comes with knowing you won't be buried alive.
Who says you can't take it with you? The Egyptian pharaohs gave it their best shot, and you can too with this gold plated coffin with an equally golden cell phone display. It's great for prank calling your enemies from beyond the grave, and you simply can't put a price on the peace of mind that comes with knowing you won't be buried alive. Oh wait, yes you can — the coffin was sold at auction for $381,000. France24 via Nerd Approved -
Dallmeier Swarovski-studded surveillance camera
Dallmeier Electronics
What better way to deter thieves than to encase your surveillance camera in 600 Swarovski crystals, like this one from Dalleier Electronics?
What better way to deter thieves than to encase your surveillance camera in 600 Swarovski crystals? How about a mat woven with $100 bills with the word "Welcome" spelled out in Krugerrands? Plus, with a 1/3 DPS image sensor and Cam-inPIX technology you are sure to get a clear picture of the burglar as he tries to pry the camera off the ceiling. $2015 - Dallmeier -
More craziness from Nerd Approved:
© 2012 Nerd Approved. All rights reserved
Related: Gadgetbox
-
Headlines
-
'Like' it or not: 10 things Facebook changed in 10 years
Ten years ago Tuesday, Mark Zuckerberg launched “The Facebook” from his Harvard dorm. Since then, the site has gone on to redefine our lives online.
- Senate grills Target CFO on data breach
- Democratic lawmakers want to bring Net neutrality back to life
- Some developers balk as Apple cracks down on apps that track user info
- FBI: Give us your malware, your worms
- Sexting stats: Half of adults' phones contain intimate content
- AT&T slashes prices for some family plans
-
'Like' it or not: 10 things Facebook changed in 10 years
-
Multimedia
“ ”