Hasta La Ideas

Arthur C. Clarke, possibly the most visionary sci-fi author of all time, has reportedly passed away. He had just turned 90 years old. The AP alert reads:brbrAP News Alertbr
1 hour agobr
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Aide says science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke has died in Sri Lanka at the age of 90.brbr
Clarke is most famous for his novel 2001: A Space Odyssey, and for collaborating with director Stanley Kubrick on the film of the same name. He is also is accredited with inventing the concept of the communications satellite. Wikipedia.brbrbr

This is from Smart Stuff reader Helen M., who writes (somewhat edited) I would like to suggest … (these) dishwasher tablets, non corrosive, environmentally friendly … all (the company’s) products are probably innovative and smart, but the only ones I have tried are the dishwasher tablets only sold by Överskottsbolaget (Swedish outlet store/Ed.). They are great. (I) use two tablets per wash in Gotland. In Stockholm one (is enough). According to the Biotab site the contents of the tablets are sodium carbonate, softener and enzymes and the ingredients are declared to be biologically dissolvable according to OECD guidelines. And there’s no perfume either. From Biotab in Skellefteå, Sweden.brbr

The Sticky Bowl has been designed to attach mixing bowls securely down to a flat surface. It basically provides an extra hand in all types of kitchens, whether you’re working on your own or with others. Sticky bowl can also be applied to plates, bowls and platters. One side has been designed bigger than the other to accommodate a larger range of bowl sizes. On the side are easy to find release levers. AUD 19:95 (ca USD 18:-)brbr

We do not write much about new electronics, but we will make an exception fort this new Canon HF10 camcorder. If we are not mistaken it is the first camcorder with a 16GB SSD that can record up to six hours of video. And if that is not enough, it has a slot for SD/SDHC memory card, if you need additional memory. This should have been enough even for Andy Warhol in his day. The downside is perhaps that its memory only lasts for 3 hours, so an additional battery might be a good investment. Other features include 12x optical zoom, HDMI out, built-in electronic lens cover, built-in video light, 3.1 megapixels photo shot, and more. It will be available, among other places, no Amazon from May first.brbr

The PlayPump is a children’s merry-go-round hooked up to a water pump and water storage tank. The idea is simple and smart. The kids spin the merry-go-round, which works a water pump that pumps water into a storage tank just a few feet away. Each installation can pump up to 1,400 liters per hour. The initial investment is USD 9,000:-, and maintenance costs are covered by advertising. Besides the benefit provided by access to clean water, the pump can also improve the situation of girls and women, who would otherwise spend hours each day fetching water instead of going to school. The pumps are manufactured and installed by South-African Roundabout Outdoor Ltd., with funding coming from an international coalition of governments, NGOs, companies, foundations and individual donors. See a link to our previous winners after the jump. Thank you all for voting!/Ed.brbr