If you haven't noticed, the "Age of Technology" is upon us. Real versions of yesterday's dreams are popping up like Orville Redenbacher kernels in a 3,000 watt microwave. Not a day goes by, it seems, that we are not blown away by a new technology product or service that would have seemed stranger than science fiction even a decade ago.
To prove my point, here are five of the latest and greatest products that I've stumbled on recently you won't even believe exist.
Disclaimer: Before we look at the first one, let me just clarify that I'm not necessarily endorsing all of these as good ideas.
1. Inhaling your drink - literally
There was a time when "inhaling a drink" simply meant an individual was downing their spirit of choice, perhaps a bit too quickly. Now with Vapshot available to masses, you can instantly convert our favorite alcoholic beverages into a vapor and, well, inhale them.
The company website explains, "When served (the vapshot), the customer twists open the cap whereby it will 'pop' similar to uncorking a bottle of champagne and then a portion of the spirits will instantly vaporize, which can be consumed through a straw."
Normally when you take a drink of alcohol, it has to go through your mouth, down your throat, into your stomach, then intestines, and finally into your bloodstream to your lungs and brain. It stands to reason why this process requires a few minutes to catch a buzz. Inhaling vaporized liquor, on the other hand, helps you wet your whistle much faster.
And while it is hard to fathom the concept of actually "breathing down" a dirty martini, it is impossible no more. Gone are the days of midnight traffic stops being escalated with the simple question, "Have you been drinking tonight?"
Yes, I'm afraid things have just gotten a bit more complicated. Moving forward, maybe the question should be amended to, "Have you been drinking or inhaling alcohol tonight?"
Needless to say, the company gives solid evidence that Vapshot is safe. However, this is one of the inventions you'll have to decide for yourself is a good thing or a bad thing in the long run.
Not everything about technology is good, you know. Here are five things about technology that irritate me, and probably you too.
2. It's not just the Candy Man who can
OK, while it's not the Instamatic food-from-thin-air synthesizer used regularly by the Jetsons' Rosie, the ChefJet Pro is the next best thing. This special 3-D printer can whip out candy including chocolate, vanilla, sour apple, watermelon and cherry in all the requisite flavors and colors.
Say what?
Yes, there is now an official way to print candy. Basically, you choose or even design your preferred shape and then add some water, sugar, color and let the ChefJet Pro go to work. My son is definitely looking forward to this hitting the shelves.
3-D printing could be the most disruptive invention of the next 20 years. Here's what you need to know to prepare for the 3-D printing revolution.
3. You said you WANT to clean the grill?
For every weekend grillmaster comes the unenviable moment when the coals have expired, the gas has been shut off, the food has been devoured and the game's final score has been tallied.
Many will tell you there's not enough beer in the world to make the next task enjoyable.
That's right, it is grill-scraping time. Or is it?
There's a cute little robot that just loves to clean grill surfaces. Kids, get on social media. Dad, break out the mesquite. Mom, ring the neighborhood bell. It's barbecue time!
The "smart CPU-driven brain" of Grillbot (by who else other than "Grillbot") is now available. I mean, who doesn't want a Grillbot?
Armed with your choice of a brass or stainless steel brush, this little dirt devil (think charred chicken or beef) is nearly as delicious to the chef as sizzling filets.
Even better, it won't break the bank. Available online for around $129, this cute-enough-to-pet robot is a dream gift for the backyard meat whisperer in your life.
Of course, in the future a grill might be a thing of the past. Learn about the futuristic flexible cooking surface you can use anywhere.
4. Why should you bend your ear when you can just flex your phone?
No matter how hard it is to imagine, flexible technology is here - and I'm not talking about a flexible reading light.
Ready or not, Samsung has released Youm, the world's first flexible and bendable smartphone. Would you be shocked if I told you that it's nearly indestructible, too?
The first-of-its-kind, next-generation smartphone certainly means the beginning of the end for third-party screen protector mall kiosks. It might also mean true liberation for us fumbly folks who make a habit of dropping or mishandling our mobile devices.
Samsung has already hinted at plans to produce increasingly more discreet and dynamically shaped devices. The new Galaxy Note Edge with its edge-wrapping screen is a start. Even stranger designs are probably on the way.
Want to find the best smartphones already on the market? Check out my smartphone comparison chart for the details you need to know.
5. Not every tech gadget has to have a grand purpose
New Zealand design engineer Richard Clarkson brings you The Cloud. No, this isn't the tech "the cloud" that I'm always talking about. If you want to learn what that is and how it's changing the way you do everything with technology, watch this video.
Instead, The Cloud is an interactive lamp capable of mimicking a thundercloud thanks to impressive audio and video components. Reacting to subtle motions in the surrounding environs, The Cloud delivers a dynamic sensory "storm" experience to its lucky owners.
Did I say "lucky"? Maybe "independently wealthy" would have been more accurate. Hang on to your hat, because it costs a whopping $3,400.
For those who are a bit storm-shy, The Cloud also has a nightlight mode and, with its integrated Bluetooth capabilities, it is a unique way to stream music. So it isn't a one-tricky pony, even if it is priced like one.
If you enjoyed this list of amazing tech gadgets, then be sure to check out my 5 coolest technology advances you don't know about. They'll be coming soon to a gadget near you.
On the Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show, Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, newsletters and more, visit her website at http://www.komando.com.
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