Smart Alternatives to the Double Stroller - HotSpotMama's Recommended Products

Wagon for 2Two years ago we were looking for alternatives to a double stroller. We've always loved to go for walks but neither my three year old nor my 1 1/2 year old (at the time) liked being strapped into a stroller.

There weren't that many choices out there at the time since we wanted something that we could easily put in our car. We came across (and ended up buying) the Step 2 Direct Wagon for Two. It was one of the best purchases we made. But our Wagon for Two had room for a couple of improvements (for example, I wish it had better wheels).

Two companies have recently come out with wagons for two. Fisher Price has come out with the Kid Utility Vehicle (KUV) and Step 2 Direct has come out with the T3 Traveler (T3). Step 2 claims to have redefine the wagon and stroller with this new hybird design. I think Fisher Price falls into this new category too. Both claim that they are for active families. Which one to buy? It’s nice to have so many choices.

KidutilityvehicleKid Utility Vehicle by Fisher-Price

This is Fisher-Price’s description of the KUV:

Transport two children in comfort and style in this rugged, ultra-portable, easy-to-fold-flat wagon! Perfect for active families, the Kid Utility Vehicle features machine-washable padded seats with 3-point restraint harnesses; convenient seatback pockets carry children’s on-the go essentials! Adjustable shade canopies provide maximum comfort for little riders. Snap them on when you need them, off when you don’t.

Designed to fold so it fits in the back of your family vehicle: durable, smooth-ride wheels easily fold up and under the frame; seatbacks fold flat, too! Equipped with Active Gear™ accessory bag attachment clips that let you custom-expand your pack and carry options—just pack, clip…and you’re on the go! Part of the Active Gear line of family products and accessories. Maximum Weight is 135 lbs (Active Gear™ accessory bags sold separately and subject to availability.)

KUV Flat[adsense:120x240:1:1]The Kid Utility Vehicle costs $150. The KUV is suppose to be sold at Babies 'R Us and Toys 'R Us stores but I could not find it at those stores and I also could not find it anwhere on Amazon. I called Fisher-Price's customer service and they said that the KUV is so new that some of the stores don't have it in stock yet. I asked when it would be available. The customer service person wasn't helpful. So I leave you with the link to Fisher-Price.

If you must have it, my advice is to call your Babies 'R Us and Toys 'R Us stores and see when its coming in. Also, I went to check it out because it seems like it would be a pain in the a-- to fold completely. So makes sure it won't take you 15 minutes to collapse the whole thing before you commit.

T3 TravelerT3 Transport by Step 2 D

DirectStep 2 Directs' description of the T3 Transport is as follows:

This compact two-seater wagon is lightweight, durable, and loaded with innovative features. You'll love transitioning from a stroller to this sleek new wagon, which sports a metallic-look frame, durable wheels with no-tip steering, a center post with hand grips, and more!

• Contoured seats comfortably accommodate one or two children

• Front-swivel EVA tires glide smoothly and silently on all types of terrain

• Foam-covered back supports and seat belts provide a comfortable and secure ride

• Lightweight folding design and molded-in handle make carrying easy

• Center post with hand grips accommodates included umbrella, which can be stored on the handle when not in use

• Molded-in cup holders fit cups, cans, or juice boxes

• Max weight: 75 lbs

• Fully assembled durable plastic body is maintenance-free and lasts for years

The T3 Two-Seater Wagon costs $89. I was able to find the T3 at Toys R Us. I stuck my two boys in it and took it for a ride. This is what I found out. It was a tight squeeze for them. Both my boys are over 40 inches and around 40lbs. The safety belt barely fit around them (but it did fit). Also, the handle is made out of metal so when I went to walk away, I tried to lean it up but it just smacked my kid in the head (and its metal so he kind of screamed at me). The plus side is that it was so easy to collapse and it is really easy to manuver. To find out more about the T3, click here .

Let me know if you buy either of these products and how you like it.

Adorable Animal LCD Monitor - HotSpotMama's New Find

Frienzoo LCD MonitorBased on my research, these adorable animal LCD monitors have been selling in Japan for two years now. They are supposingly finally making their way to the US.

I wish I had seen them when I was doing my 6/1/06 article on TVs and humidifiers that came in animal shapes.

[adsense:120x240:1:1]There are 10 variants of the LCD monitor, including frog, panda, rabbit, koala, and chicken. They have a 17 inch screen. I found a post from two years ago with the specs. I don't whether the details are still correct but here's the link.

Thanks to Engadget for letting us know that they are coming to the US market. Not that it helps most of us since the Frienzoo website is in Japanese, but here's the link to their website. Which one to get? I think I like the rabbit and the panda the best.

HotSpotMama

“FLASH-TASTIC” FLASH DRIVES! THIS LIST GOES TO 11!

Flash drives are pretty darn amazing. So small. Extremeley powerful. No moving parts. And very stable. No wonder they’re gaining in popularity.

Take a look at these FLASH-TASTIC flash drives. And check out more good stuff at InventorSpot.com .

1. SUSHI DISKS

Sushi roll drivesBackup your data on a salmon roll. SushiDisks are handmade USB memory drives that come in a variety of "flavors" and offer up to 128mb of storage.

Made by Solid Alliance. Flash Drive here.

2. MIMOBOTS™

Mimobots Flash Drive 2 Minibots claim to hail from a distant galaxy. Actually, they are limited-edition colorful USB flash drives made in the United States. The Mimobots™ can store up to 2gb and are Windows and Mac compatible.
Made by Mimoco.
Model: goSeries
Flash Drive here.

MIMBOTS

3. THE IDUCK

the IduckFrom Solid Alliance in Japan. Available in six different colors, the one in the pic even lights up when plugged in. Cool. Flash Drive here.

4. I-TICK SELF INFLATING FLASH DRIVE

bagThis things is crazy. It actually blows up – changing in size depending on the amount of data it holds.

From the wish-I'd-thought-of-that
department: the Flashbag.

It's a standard USB flash drive that has a tiny pump in it that inflates when you load it with data. So if your drive is full of stuff, it blows up like a balloon, but if it's empty it remains flat and rectangular. It'll stay inflated even when powered down, so you'll be able to estimate how many more MP3s you can leech from your friend's computer just by taking a gander.

Alas, until one of you inventors make it a reality, it’s still just a dream.
Flash Drive here.

5. EZ VUE VISTA DRIVE EZ Vue Vista Flash Drive

Flash Drive with File Viewer.
This flash drive sure makes life a little easier. The Royal EZVue Vista Drive is unique in that it allows you to view the names of the stored files.

The scroll buttons allow you to scroll down the list of file names, so that if you have several of these drives, you can differentiate between them without having to plug them into your computer.

The EZVue drive also has synchronization software embedded allowing you synchronize with directories on your hard drive.

6. THE HELLO KITTY DRIVEHello Kitty Drive

This drive from IO Data is a 512mb USB drive. It has an integrated light that is illuminated when plugged-in. It also has an attached sliding cover, which is convenient because it's impossible to lose and it keeps the USB connector clean. Of course the highlight of this drive is the Hello Kitty logo. Five thousand pieces will be produced.
Flash Drive here.

7. THE MANDARIN ALIEN DRIVEMandarin Alien Drive

Mikan Seijin USB memory
 - otherwise known as “The Mandarin Alien”. Yup, that’s what it looks like.

With a 128MB capacity and USB 2.0 compatibility, this wacky little guy features an internal lamp so his head will light up in an asian alien like mandarin color.

It will be available September 15th in Japan for 3,990 yen (~$36 USD).
And if you can read Japanese, this is where you can read more.
Flash Drive here.

8. SAKE BOTTLE USB DRIVESake Bottle Flash Drive

Ok... how much sake was the guy who invented this drive drinking?
Flash Drive here.

9. THE “THUMB” DRIVE

the Thumb DriveThis thing is truly wacky. And it looks pretty realistic. Finally, a true “thumb drive”. USB Thumb.
Flash Drive here.

10. The Barbie
 USB DRIVE

Headless Creepy Barbie Flash DriveGo ahead, rip off her head!

This thing is something right out of “Toy Story” It’s one part technology, one part strange childhood nightmare. Think Barbinator. It’s so freaky, it’s cool.

And it’s sure to leave Ken wondering what the hell he got himself in to.
Flash Drive here.

11. DIMSUM DRIVES

The Dimsum Flash Drive. Mmmm...Anyone else getting hungry?

These flash drives remind me of the artificial food sitting in the window of Chinese restaurants. Creepy, yet, not enough to keep me away from my favorite meat dumplings.

These things are soft on the outside, crunchy on the inside. And will remember when you bite them thanks to their large memory capacity.
Flash Drive here.

Nanotechnology Means Never Cleaning Your House Again : Future Innovation

Hate cleaning your house? Wish there was a way for your house to clean itself? Be patient, as that technology may be available to you in a short five years. Surface coating technology may soon mean dust gets destoryed simply by turning on a light switch.

[adsense:120x240:1:1] Nanotechnbology is finding a way for surfaces to dissapate dust, mildew and bacteria. "Not so long ago, chemical engineers discovered how to use titanium dioxide to keep buildings free of discoloring pollution. Landmarks such as the virgin-white Dives in Misericordia Church in Rome and the Marunouchi Building in Tokyo were among the first to be coated with the semiconductor, which breaks down organic molecules—including those in grime and pollution—when exposed to light and water and then releases them into the air. Soon after, TiO2-based self-cleaning products, like SunClean windows from PPG Industries, hit the home market....

[M]aterials engineer Michael Cortie and his colleagues at the Institute for Nanoscale Technology in Sydney, Australia, who are working to perfect a coating that can respond to the visible spectrum—that is, the lightbulb hanging from your bathroom ceiling....

Two chemical qualities make TiO2 an all-purpose cleaner. First, the chemical is light-sensitive. When it is struck by photons, it reacts with air and water vapor to accelerate the breakdown of organic materials. It’s a bit like an artificial photosynthesis, but whereas plants use sunlight to break down carbon dioxide and turn it into oxygen, TiO2 uses light to turn scourges like grease and bacteria into carbon dioxide, hydrogen and other by-products that escape into the air. Second, TiO2 is hydro-philic, or water-loving. Instead of repelling water—as tiles and glass do when they encourage water to bead—materials coated with TiO2 attract water, causing it to “sheet” across the surface, taking by-products and oversize particles with it.

The result: Guck rarely gets a chance to build up, and it washes away easily when it does...."

Read the whole story in Popular Science.

Weird Jewelry : My Idea of Inventive Art

Colons and Enema bags sound perfect for your girl?

]Well, as you know, Michelle (one of our bloggers here at InventorSpot.com) posts here regularly on inventive and innovative art.

I thought that with this classic collection of sculptural pieces, I was pretty sure she wouldn't ever get around to sharing with you.

So, I thought she wouldn't mind (hehe) if I used the idea to share my own take on Inventive Art with you. (Sometimes, I really crack myself up. I know, you're saying its a good thing as no one else thinks you are funny.)

Sculptures can come in many shapes and sizes. One of those forms is exquisite pieces of jewelry.

Fetus Pin Enema Bag Colon Brooch Uterus Pin

Lucan Parc has a series of miniature sculptures using the reposee method (presented here as jsilver and bronze jewelry pieces) to honor anatomy and reproduction. Their website says that "these daring miniatures cause us to look honestly at ourselves and celebrate what we are made of, our shape and form and function, in new ways. " Weird jewelry - huh? Now, I like to think of these as rare one-of-a kind pieces, don't you agree? I don't think it makes me look honestly at myself, more like honestly a little grossed out...but maybe that's just me.If you want to talk inventive art, I think these tiny sculptures are pretty novel. You can see the whole collection at Lucan Parc. So, do you see these as pieces of art? Would you ever wear anything like these? I am really curious as to what people think of these, so tell me what you think. Remember...wacky does not mean it won't sell, Amused and Bemused AmericanInventorSpot.com * * * * On a more serious note, if its been awhile since you visited our Invention Gallery, please remember to go and take a look. There are some really cool inventions there.

Ice Cream in a Blackout Anyone? HotSpotMama Find

Ice cream anyone? Kind of a confusing question if you are just looking at a picture of a blue ball. Actually, its a manual ice cream maker - The Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker by UCO. That's right - no electricity. Good thing UCO was kind enough to create it into the shape of a ball. So instead of mixing it by hand, you just roll it along.

Here are the instructions:

1. Fill the ice end with as much ice as possible, then add rock salt.

2. Mix up your ice cream ingredients in a container, then pour mix into the end with the metal cylinder.

3. Have a ball. Shake, roll and pass it around as you mix and freeze the ingredients.

4. After about 10 minutes open the ice cream end. Scrape the sides of the cylinder to mix up the ice cream using a plastic spatula or wooden spoon (don’t use a metal spoon as it will scratch the cylinder). Then check the ice end. If you notice the ice appears to be melting, pour out the excess water and add more ice. You may also need to add more rock salt to enhance the freezing ability. Close the lids securely and continue shaking for approximately 5–10 more minutes.

5. You now have about a pint of delicious soft-serve ice cream. The consistency will vary based on the ice, your mix, the outside temperature, shaking frequency, etc. Once the ice cream is to the consistency of your liking, gently scoop it out and Enjoy!

It comes in blue, orange, red (shown), green, pink and purple. It comes in two sizes - pint and quart. You can purchase it at Amazon .

[adsense:120x240:1:1]We actually purchased the Freeze and Play Ice Cream Maker and then went back to return it after we thought about it a while. It seems great in concept but a pain in the a-- to make. Some people that reviewed this product just thought it was the most incredible fun thing. Others complained that you need a lot of ice and the hole is too small to fit in traditional ice cubes from the ice tray and that it was hard to get the ice cream out (they don't provide a scoop). People also complained about the little amount of ice cream you end up with (pint) so UCO makes a quart size too. I would love to hear back from someone who has used this product.

Anyone think this product would be handy if you're stuck and bored in a blackout during hurricane season?

Tricycle as a Stroller Attachment- HotSpotMama Find

I was looking on the internet when I came this stroller accessory. Essentially, it is an attachable tricycle. You can attach the tricycle to the stoller (stroller is not included). Just wanted to restate it because it took me by surprise the first time I saw it. Let me describe the product to you and then I’ll let you know my opinion.

[adsense:120x240:1:1]The Swiss Strolli Rider (by Bibi) from Happy Stoller LLC says it offers parents with more than one child a fun, safe and stress-free way to transport their toddler without the need to buy a costly double stroller.

Swiss StrolliAll you need to do is attach the Swiss Strolli Rider to the side of almost any stroller. It is suppose to fit on most strollers with a round, scquare or oval frame. All you need to do is to clip in the coupling reducer that fits your stroller, screw the coupling onto the stroller frame, lock it in place with the coupling jaw, and its ready to go. Their website says it should take less than a minute.

The Swiss Strolli Rider has been designed so that your child sits besides you as you push, which means that your feet are free of any obstructions. The saddle has 2 height positions and the footrests and handlebars can be secured wherever is most comfortable for your child.

It is suitable for children at least 15 months old. It is recommended that you do not use the Strolli until your child can walk completely unaided and can sit independently without any help. It can be used until your child is 44lbs. Check out Happy Stroller’s website for more information.

Swiss Strolli 2I’m a little skeptical about this product for the younger kids. I was just at a birthday party today and there was a 15 month old that could walk very well. 15 month olds are still tiny. I can not imagine that I would be comfortable enough to leave my 15 month old sitting on top of this tricycle. Even if they could balance on it perfectly, I would be afraid that every time I stopped to cross the street my kid would jump off the bike. I could, however, see my 5 year old on it (he’s just under 44 lbs). As you can see from the picture above, an older child looks comfortable on it. But in the picture with younger child, the younger child looks like she could easily fall off.

My next concern is … do you have to attach and detach it every time you want to use it (this is assuming you don’t live in a city where you walk everywhere)? Also, I wonder how awkward it is while going through a store? I would love to hear back from someone who has purchased this or tried it. If you are interested it in buying it, the cheapest place I found that sells it is for $125. Check the link out? There are few other sites selling it, so feel free to look around for a better price.