Since I first started showcasing gadgets here at GadgetGnome I think this one may be my favorite of all time, and maybe it will stay that way for as long as we keep showcasing gadgets here at gadgetgnome.

A robotic lawn mower! Unbelievable… and what a superb idea.  Maybe you can say I am lazy or just no fun, but I am just tired of mowing the lawn week in and week out.  I am just too busy to be mowing the lawn. Are you?  Don’t get me wrong, I like being outdoors and I like the smell of fresh grass.. But over the years mowing the lawn has just become a chore that I would rather not do (sort of like buying groceries.. by the way what’s worse, doing grocery shopping or mowing the lawn?!)

But have no fear! The robotic mower is here!  The Friendly Robotics RL1000 RoboMower and docking station is an electric lawn mower that mows for you all the time when you are busy doing other things.  No, it does not talk to you or tell you how nice you look this morning, but it mows your lawn while you are sipping margaritas on the back porch!

Simply select the day and times you want the lawn mowed and the RL1000 will do it automatically for you day after day and week after week.  This robotic mower is also equipped with a rain sensor so the robomower will not come out to mow when it senses rain, and if it starts raining when it is outside, it will return to its cage, er um I mean docking station!

So basically you can program it to mow for the entire season or all year long for that matter if you are near the equator.  You never need to start this mower with any silly pull cables or put gas or smelly oil in it.

Other Features:

• Theft Guard deterrent system
• Triple chamber mulching system
• 21 inch width of cut
• LCD operation display
• Up to 4 hours mowing time.
• 5.5 HP equivalent cutting system

Gosh maybe one of the big side benefits to owning one of these in your neighborhood is that you will be the envy of all your other neighbors and the talk of the entire neighborhood! And who said money doesn’t buy happiness!

One happy customer writes, “Bottom line: My yard looks like a golf course every day. The quality of the mow is excellent.”

10 STARS for the Robotic Lawnmower!

P.S. You know, if I owned one of these, I think after a while I would probably give it a nice pet name, like ‘mini’ or something like that…

I actually own one of these so I thought it worthwhile to mention here on GadgetGnome dot com.

This is the TEAC CD DVD Duplicator.  It is a simple gadget that does one thing and does it very well.  Can you guess? Well I think you already know.  It duplicates CD’s and DVD’s without the need for a computer or software or all kinds of special equipment.

It is extremely easy to use.  All you have to do is pop the CD or DVD you want to copy in the unit, and then pop a blank disc in the other drive bay and then like magic it will automatically start copying your disc.  There is no need to fuss around with a computer or other configuration settings.  It is a quick no hassle way to make copies or backups of your favorite media on CD’s and DVD’s.  I have had zero problems with my unit and the copies have been flawless.  Actually I got one for my Mother because it is much easier for her to make copies using this unit.  She prefers more low tech type devices so this was the perfect fit.

There is nothing like sitting on cold stadium bleacher stands at your kids football or soccer game especially when fall comes around and it is back to school season.

These Lava Buns solve that problem whether you area looking to stay either warm or cool.

Simply microwave the microcore element for less than 5 minutes and place it inside the Lava Bun seat cushion.  Then you can sit comfortably for hours no matter where you are… at home, at your kids next soccer or football game, or simply right in your car seat in the middle of the winter.

These seem like an outstanding alternative to heated car seats.  I think heated car seats should be a standard feature up here in the Northeast, but until that happens these Lava Buns would probably be just as good.

I put this PEEK pseudo PDA/email reader in the senior gadgets category although some might not think this is not the best category for this device.

I put it in that category because this device is ergonomic, clear, easy to read and does it’s primary function very well.  It’s primary function? Sending and receiving email. 

I suspect that there are a lot of senior citizens, students, and maybe even kids who do not want to bother with the hassle of regular PDA’s hundreds of features and seemingly endless options.

The fundamental power of email is clear.  Peek markets the device as potentially saving you $1000’s of dollars over other more fully featured PDA’s when you compare texting charges from mobile carriers.

Peek supports up to 5 email accounts including Yahoo, Gmail, AOL, Hotmail, AT&T, Comcast, Verizon, Roadrunner, BellSouth, SBCGlobal, Earthlink, Cox, Charter, Cablevision, NetZero, Mac, Optonline and many others.  My personal preference is Gmail.  I have been using Gmail for over 2 years now and I can tell you with zero doubt that it is by far ( in my opinion) the best web email client on the net today.

You get unlimited email and texting with no contracts with peek and it looks like their basic service fee per month starts at $15.

So are you ready to peek or what? The only downside here is that I was not able to find out if it is possible to send photo attachments through an SD card slot or something similar. Sending camera photos as attachments is pretty much expected these days.  But still the convenience and ability to be able to send emails wherever you are for a low fee no contract commitment is quite compelling.

RoboSapien is a modified robot gadget that originally was controlled by infrared remote but after the team at University at Freiburg modified it and gave it a head transplant (sort of like a robotic Frankenstein?) with a camera it became autonomous (self controlled).

The head was replaced with a Toshiba e755 pocket pc and a flycam-cf compactflash camera.

Then the team developed software to enable the robots to be able to play a games of soccer with each other.

You should check this video out and watch the soccer game yourself, it is actually kind of neat.  The robots seem like they have sprung to life just like Frankenstein.  Of course they are a bit slow in running down the field, but hey it is a start anyway!

You can actually get your own RoboSapien minus the head transplant. Just the standard remote controlled robot through the Amazon.com link below:

Sick and tired of waiting for commercials to end to get your local weather forecast?  Maybe you don’t like your local weatherman anymore?

Well here is an interesting alternative that puts you in total control of your local weather forecast.

This is a complete weather station from Oregon scientific and includes wireless sensors that operate on solar power.

It provides a 12 to 24 hour weather forecast and has long range sensors that operate up to 300 feet from the main unit.

You can monitor wind speed and direction, rainfall (with a self emptying rain gauge), indoor and outdoor temperature, indoor and outdoor humidity and barometric pressure with the touch screen LCD.

This portable weather radio and freeze alarm seems to solve some of my anxieties and maybe yours too?

I suppose it is especially useful for those who spend a lot of extra time outdoors (work for Fedex or UPS ?) but on the other hand maybe your Mother or Father likes to keep tabs on the weather if they are on the go a lot or especially concerned about the weather.

Here are a few stats on this neat portable weather gadget.

• It monitors all National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration channels and weather warnings
• Displays temperate, clock and calendar
• Freeze alarm with audio and visual alerts
• Dual Alarm with SNOOZE function (in case you want to sleep through that next storm!)
• Four different levels of alerts: statement, watch, warning,test
• Requires 3 AA batteries (not included)

I don’t know about you but I absolutely cannot stand bugs whether they be mosquitoes, black flies or anything else that has wings on it and makes a buzzing noise.  Well ok, I think honey bees are cool but that is about it.

So I cannot stand bugs and maybe you can’t either. But I really cannot stand bugs when I am trying to relax in a hammock.

So here is the skeeter beeter hammock from grand trunk.

We are talking pretty simple design here but functional.  This hammock weights 20 ounces and supports up to 250 pounds.  It has a very fine mosquito netting and is mildew resistant, dries quickly and is easy to hang as well. It also comes with a 10 year warranty. Not bad.

Hammocks are really relaxing.  I am not sure if it is the anti gravity feel thing going on or just the element of being outdoors that makes them so comfortable. But this bug free hammock is perfect for that next outdoor vacation.

Smart Globe is a game gadget for kids that has 36 activities and quiz games about countries, capitals, major cities, populations, languages, currencies, history, current events and more.  It can be updated through the internet so that trivia is current.  You can also download content appropriate for 3 different age groups (5 to 8, 9 to 14 and 15 and up).  It also includes flags from around the world with corresponding national anthems.

This kids gadget seems like it is a perfect way for kids to learn geography and keep up on current events trivia.  Heck probably most adults could get a lot of benefit out of this kids gadget too.  I mean how many adults know what the capital of Finland is?  Well I do because I was lucky enough to visit there when I was a kid, but I must tell you that I am quite rusty on the other hundreds of countries and capitals out there not to mention history and current events.

This gadget seems like a superb way to exercise and grow young and older minds alike.

The machine is fully automatic and prepares 1 and 1/2 quarts of your favorite flavors in less than 1 hour.  It also has a built in compressor freezer so you do not need to pre-freeze anything.  Simply add ingredients, start the timer and it is off and running, um, I mean off and making, ice cream that is.

Here is a testimonial from one customer:

Best Father’s Day Gift ever!! I purchased this Ice Cream Maker 3 years ago for my husband. We have never had any issues with it (the arm has never popped up, except once when he didn’t have the paddle fit in correctly) and it has been running beautifully the entire time (at least 2 times per month – usually more.) My kids BEG for the Brown Sugar Cinnamon ice cream my husband makes and I love the chocolate – it tastes like a creamy french silk pie.