Idea of the Day - A new idea each day. Some Don't Suck!

Our Latest Posts About: Inventions

Read Books On The Ceiling. Why Not?

Sunday, June 11, 2017 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Wouldn't it be great if you could read books in bed... hands free?

The idea is simple. Anyone who loves to read books in bed knows you've got to make some trade-offs. You can't lay flat, because you can't see the book unless you hold it up the whole time, and that's way too uncomfortable because the blood rushes down your arms. If you sit up, it's easier to hold the book, but you're not as comfortable as you would be if you could lay flat.

The simple solution is a book projector that projects your book on the ceiling, so that you can lay flat on your bed and not have to hold your book above your head. There are some details that would need to be worked out, like a way to change pages by clicking a remote, snapping your fingers or using voice commands, but essentially it's... [More]

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Home Miniature Golf Table... Invention Idea

Monday, February 6, 2017 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Here's my idea bringing the joy of Mini-Golf into your own home.

Great inventions often come from finding new ways to adapt existing technology to an all new purpose. That's how today's Idea of the Day came about.

We've all see 3D Impression Pin Boxes before. They're little toy boxes with thousands of little pins that slide back and forth taking the shape of whatever you put behind it. It dawned on me that if you made a box the size of a pool table, then created an automated way to set the position of the pins, it would be able to take the shape of all sorts of 3D surfaces... like an infinitely programmable miniature golf course!

Think about it, you could use your mobile phone to download and configure the table to make each hole unique, including virtual sand traps and... [More]

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Better Ways To Fill Under Sink Soap Dispensers

Saturday, July 9, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Filling under sink soap dispensers is a real pain in the ass.

It's great having a soap dispenser under your sink, but it's completely frustrating trying to fill the darn thing without it overflowing all over the place. I have two ideas to fix this problem.

First, the easiest solution is to have a pre-measured bottle that has just the right amount of soap, so instead of randomly pouring soap from a giant bottle, you could pour it from the smaller bottle and know for sure that it's not too much.

The second method is a simple valve that you can insert into the fill hole, that automatically shuts when its full. This is a bit like the valves inside gas pumps that prevent the pump from overfilling your car's gas tank.

We Need Smart Toilets

Friday, June 17, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Why are we still using antiquated toilets?

I just don't get it. We've seen just about every gadget in our home evolve over the years, but somehow our toilets are stuck in the 19th century. With all the technology advances in the past century, why is it that our toilets still overflow and waste a ton of water when the handles get stuck?

It's not rocket science. All it would take to improve toilet technology is to incorporate a couple of sensors, so that the toilet can regulate and monitor the water flowing in, and out. By adding these two simple sensors, toilets wouldn't run all night when the handle get stuck... and they wouldn't overflow because the sensor would shut off the water when the water level is too high.

Taken to the next level, if either sensor detects someth... [More]

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Daisy Chainable Monitors

Friday, April 29, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Wouldn't it be great if you could plug multiple monitors into one device with only one cable?

Most laptops have only one HDMI port, which means you can plug exactly one monitor into them. Handling multiple monitors means your laptop would need additional HDMI ports.

My idea is to build monitors with expansion ports, specifically to add additional monitors. Technically, with a system like this, each additional monitor you add increases the number of total pixels, but not the number of monitors, so the computer will still see it as one monitor... just a bigger one.

So the computer, cable TV / Satellite converter won't need any special cards or drivers. The host system will see it as one screen with a resolution directly proportional to the connected monitors.

This also... [More]

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Shared Second Monitors. A New Spin On Collaborative Computing.

Saturday, February 27, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Can't get your team on the same page? Why not start by sharing a monitor?

It's not easy getting a team to work together. The larger the team, the harder it is for people to fully communicate ideas. Because of this, anything that improves communication is guaranteed to increase productivity.

My idea is to have shared second monitors, which means that each team member would have a second monitor that is shared, in real-time with everyone else on the team.

The second monitor could be centrally located on a large screen... or mirrored on individual monitors at each team member's desk. You would work with it just like a second monitor, except that whenever somebody interacts with it, everyone on the team sees it.

To make it happen, the each computer would have a virtual m... [More]

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An Alarm Clock App That Factors In Traffic

Sunday, February 21, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Everyone hates traffic.

Traffic conditions can make or break your morning commute, so why not get a head start on days when traffic is heavy?

One of the great things bout the iPhone is that it often anticipates your daily activities and offers suggestions. If you normally drive to the same place each morning, it will start off your day by telling you how long it will take to get there based on current traffic conditions.

Taken to the next level, if the phone knows how long it will take to get to work, it should also be able to anticipate when you need to get up early to compensate for a traffic jam. Conversely, if traffic is lighter than usual, why not let you get a few extra winks?

Selfie Stick Fans

Thursday, February 11, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Now THAT's Cool!

One of my favorite things is combining two different ideas into something I've never seen before, such as this, a Selfie Stick Fan, which would be a fan mounted on a traditional Selfie Stick.

The idea is simple, yet useful.

The most tedious thing about personal fans is raising your arms high for extended periods, so why not mount it on the end of a stick?

Then you can keep your hands low, even on your lap and still fan your face.

This would be perfect for watching little league games, or sitting on the beach. You can even clamp the Selfie Stick on a beach chair or a railing and get a nice breeze that you can take anywhere. It's small, portable and easy to position to just the right distance to cool you off.

Restaurant Buzzers With Time Displays

Saturday, January 23, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Don't you hate guessing how long you have to wait?

The one thing that's worse than waiting for a table in a restaurant is not knowing how long you'll be waiting.

You know the routine. You walk into a restaurant and the host hands you a buzzer and invites you to wait in the bar or out on the patio. As time passes, you check it from time to time and wonder if it's broken. Eventually you go back to the host and make sure you didn't miss it.

Wouldn't it be great if restaurant buzzers had a digital display that gives you the approximate time left to wait? With the right software it should easily update the display every time a new table is cleared.

Then, instead of pacing the floor wondering when and if you'll be called, you can just check the display from time to time a... [More]

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Fortune Coupons

Tuesday, January 19, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

A Fortune Cookie with a COUPON Inside!

Chinese restaurants are missing a great opportunity to use Fortune Cookies as a way to increase business.

One of the best parts of eating Chinese food is getting a fortune cookie after your meal. Even people who don't eat the cookie look forward to getting one just so they can read the clever message inside.

In recent years, companies that make fortune cookies started printing messages on both sides of the paper inside, After all, why waste the space? Unfortunately, the back of most fortunes are still pretty much a waste of space. Most of the time they include a useless collection of lottery numbers or lessons on speaking Chinese.

Instead of printing useless stuff on the back... why not include a coupon you can use on your ne

... [More]

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Form Fitting Plungers To Fit Your Specific Toilet

Thursday, January 14, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Plungers don't work as well as they should, because they don't make a good seal.

Just about every plunger on the market today is round. The trouble is, the drain area of most toilets aren't centered in the bowl, so the plunger doesn't make a good seal on all sides, so most of your efforts are wasted.

If you go into a typical home center, you'll see so many different styles and drain configurations it's hard to imagine a single plunger that would make a good seal in all of them.

The simple solution is for toilet manufacturers to include a plunger that fits the exact shape of each model and include it in the box when you buy it.

Because each plunger would be form fitted for the unique position of the drain, all your plunging troubles will literally go down the drain... [More]

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Fans With Chains Should Beep to Indicate Speed

Wednesday, January 13, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Don't you hate guessing the speed?

The most frustrating thing about ceiling fans is trying to adjust the speed. It seems simple enough. Most fans have two chains. One chain turns the light on and off. The other chain adjusts the speed. What could go wrong? Don't get me started.

So you walk into the room and you decide you want to lower off the fan. You look at the fan and make a guess. If the fan has 3 speeds, you need to pull the chain either once, twice, or three times to get to the speed you want. That's where the frustration begins. First you need to figure out what speed it was on.

It drives me nuts. More often than not, turning the fan off involves pulling the chain, then waiting to see if it's actually off, or running at the lowest speed.

To simpli... [More]

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Phone Booths... Without Phones

Sunday, December 27, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

It's not easy finding a quiet place to make a phone call these days.

You never see phone booths anymore. What a shame. I loved them as a kid.

I realize most people have mobile phones these days, but I think phone booths would be very popular, even if they didn't have a phone inside, mainly because of their privacy.

Phone booths not only give the caller a quiet place to make a call, they also help other people from listening in.

Nobody likes standing next to somebody fighting with their spouse on the phone, or talking about their nagging hemorrhoids. I don't want to hear it, and I'm sure they don't everyone in the room to hear it either.

A phone booth would be perfect in fine restaurants, hotel lobbies and other public places. The booths would be free, of cours... [More]

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Landline Texting

Saturday, December 19, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Why limit texting to mobile phones?

Landline phones haven't made any progress in nearly 30 years. I created a post a year ago in a post called Hey Phone Makers... Our Landline Phones Stink., where I vented about how far behind landline phones are compared to mobile phones. Today I'm focusing on one particular shortcoming... the lack of text messaging.

The lack of texting support for landlines can be a real pain in the neck.

People often make the mistake of trying to send a text to a landline.

It's pretty strange that nobody has introduced a landline phone that is capable of sending and receiving texts. It's not that complicated. Apple already makes it possible to send and receive texts on iPads, iPods... [More]

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NFC Gun Lock Rings

Thursday, December 17, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Gun safety for the 21st century!

Owning a gun is a big responsibility, which is why gun owners take precautions to insure their gun doesn't end up in the wrong hands. We've all heard stories of children killed when the owner didn't adequately put it away, or of owners who were killed by intruders who somehow managed to gain control of the weapon. Although it's rare, there are even times when a criminal manages to shoot police officers with their own guns.

In recent years, gun makers have been looking for new ways to prevent unauthorized use of guns, including things like "Smart Guns" that feature fingerprint locks. However, as most people have discovered, fingerprint identificati... [More]

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Wall Printer

Wednesday, November 25, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Who needs wallpaper?

I love the look of a hand painted mural. It can really make a room come to life. The trouble is, they're very expensive because they can take an artist days or even weeks to complete.

Wouldn't it be great to have a custom mural printed directly on your wall? That's what a Wall Printer could do.

Although I've never actually seen such a device, it would be fairly easy to construct one using the same basic principals as an off-the-shelf inkjet printer.

There are two basic ways this could be done.

1. The easiest system would involve setting up temporary rails on the floor and ceiling that would allow a simple printhead to move back and forth, just like a regular inkjet. The ink would be sprayed directly on the wall, then the rails and printhe... [More]

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Linkable Screens

Sunday, November 22, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Computers with multiple monitors are pretty common, but you never see TVs linked together in a living room.

Connecting multiple monitors to a computer is relatively easy, but if your computer doesn't have the ability to plug in additional monitor, you need to use unreliable USB adapters that can be sluggish.

A more universal solution is to build monitors and TVs that can be linked together. You would simply plug one computer into your computer or cable converter, and then link additional screens to the first one using a wireless connection or another cable.

Your cable TV box or your computer would see your linked screens as one screen with a much higher resolution. So, two side by side 1920x1080 screens would look like one 3840x1080 screen... or if they are stacked top to... [More]

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Photo Calculator

Wednesday, November 11, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Calculations in a snap!

One of my favorite Apps is called MyScript Calculator. Unlike most calculator programs, MyScript Calculator doesn't have a traditional number pad interface. It lets you do complex math calculations by hand writing the numbers on the screen.

I was blown away by the concept. It was not only faster than using a number pad, it also lets you solve equations by putting a question mark where you need to find a value.

It works so well, it made me wonder if there was a way to take it to another level. Why not let you hand write the numbers or the equation, and simply take a photo?

Just imaging how revolutionary that would be. You could... [More]

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Box Zippers

Thursday, October 29, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

No tape? No problem.

Here's a simple idea. Instead of taping and re-taping boxes, why not zip and unzip?

Unless you use tape, you normally have to criss-cross the top flaps in order to keep whatever is inside from falling out. I've always hated doing that. As you fold and tuck the flaps, you wear them out and you end up with a box that isn't exactly sealed. A zipper is stronger, and it's much easier to open and close.

I'm not suggesting this as a replacement for traditional tape, but it's definitely a better solution for boxes that you intend to reuse.

One cool thing about a Box Zipper is that it doesn't necessarily have to be a straight path down a seam. You could create a round opening or any shape for that matter.

Boxes with zippers would be great for p... [More]

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Time Lapse Voice Recorders.

Saturday, October 10, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

All day recording. One hour playback.

If you made a recording of everything you said today, along with everything you heard from friends, family and co-workers, you would end up with about 10 hours of mostly silence. Even in a busy office, there's still a lot of quiet time where there really isn't any conversations going on.

That's where today's idea came from. Why not design a voice recorder that cuts out all the silence and just plays what was actually said?

The main idea isn't to speed it up, it's simply to remove the large silent gaps between sentences and words.

This would be great for people who might want an archive of each day's conversations, which can reviewed, transcribed, and searched at a later date. Naturally, this can be made into an App, but it c... [More]

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Speaker Systems With Portable Sound Sensors

Tuesday, September 29, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

A sound system that automatically adjusts based on where you sit in the room.

Every room has it's own unique sound characteristics. Some rooms sound warm and cozy, while others have a bit more echo, plus everything in the room, from your curtains, carpets, furniture, and even people will change the way the room sounds.

This creates a challenge to people setting up a Home Theater System. It's almost impossible to account for everything that interferes with hearing sounds the way they were meant to be heard. Even if you make all the right adjustments, simply changing seats will have an effect on the sound. So, if you sit close to one speaker or subwoofer, the sound will be somewhat different.

Wouldn't it be easier if your Speaker System used a portable sound sensor that

... [More]

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DIY Stud Finder (Refrigerator Magnets)

Tuesday, September 15, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Before you spend money on an expensive Stud Finder... try this.

I recently bought a new Stud Finder so I could hang a new railing on my staircase. I threw away my old one a long time ago because it did a terrible job of finding studs. I followed the instructions to the letter, sliding it back and forth waiting for the gadget to light up and tell me it found a stud. Then I'd make a mark, and just to be sure, I'd do it again. More often than not, I ended up with a conflicting location, so I'd end up resorting to the old fashioned method... knocking on the wall and listening to the sound. It wasn't as scientific, but it worked better than the gadget.

When I got the new one, I hoped that the technology would be more reliable by now. Maybe it's me... or maybe it's my walls, b... [More]

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Tesla Lawnmower

Thursday, September 3, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

If Tesla Makes the best batteries in the word, and the best electric motors in the world, why not build the best lawnmower in the world?

Electric cars have been around for decades, so when Elon Musk founded Tesla Motors, his goal wasn't to simply build an electric car. If that was all he wanted, he would've done what everyone else did, put an electric motor and a battery inside an existing car frame and viola... an electric car.

Thankfully, he had bigger ambitions, because before Tesla came along, electric cars were pretty bad. The batteries and motors were huge, heavy... and weak. Because of this, the cars were slow, and they couldn't go far without running out of power. Many of them weren't even fast enough to keep up with highway traffic, so you could only use them for... [More]

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P2P Payments By Tapping Mobile Phones.

Friday, August 28, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

NFC has revolutionized the payment industry. Why limit it to purchases in stores?

There's a lot of buzz in the industry about NFC payments, which allow you to securely make payments by tapping payment terminals with your smartphone.

NFC, which stands for "Near Field Communication" uses very low powered antennas that pass data only at very short distances, which means you generally need to tap your smartphone directly against another NFC compatible device to send it, which makes it perfect for swapping contact information, photos, or digital payments, such as Apple Pay, Google Wallet, etc.

The great thing about NFC is that it's actually even more secure than a traditional credit card, because the recipient doesn't actually get access to your credit card number. NFC paymen... [More]

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Receipts In The Cloud, Linked to Loyalty Cards.

Monday, August 17, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

I hate looking for my receipts!

Today's inspiration came from two places, PetSmart, and Neat Receipts.

PetSmart recently started offering customers the option to get an emailed receipt. This is not only a way to save paper, but a great way to archive your receipts. It's pretty simple. Since they already have your email address, they send your receipt as a PDF.

Neat Receipts is a service that lets you scan your receipts into the cloud, then run reports you can use to track expenses.

Wouldn't it be great if you could access ALL of your receipts from every store you visit, without scanning?

There's room for a company like DropBox, or Neat Receipts to provide a service that lets merchants link their customer loyalty cards to a cloud... [More]

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Refrigerator Vacuum Compartments

Tuesday, August 4, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

If vacuum packages can keep food fresh for months, why don't refrigerators have vacuum compartments?

Have you ever noticed how many things in the supermarket that can be kept at room temperature for months... but say "refrigerate after opening"? For most of these items, once you break the seal, you need to use the whole package within about a week or it'll become stale.

That's because they were vacuum sealed.

There are many ways to keep food fresh for extended amounts of time. The two most popular ways are refrigeration, and vacuum sealing. So, doesn't it make sense to combine the two?

I realize there are a lot of vacuum sealing systems out there that can create air-tight containers, but I think it would be a lot easier if there was a section in the refrigerator that... [More]

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TV Hub. One Device To Control All Your Stuff.

Monday, August 3, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Why have TVs become so complicated?

Ever since the late 70s, people have come to me with their technical problems. One odd trend that I've noticed is that people are finding it harder and harder to use their TVs. Instead of asking me to solve complex computer issues, I'm often asked to help people figure out how to get their TV systems to work.

Back in the old days, TVs weren't that complicated. You plugged in an antenna, and simply turned it on. Once VCRs, surround sound, video games, cable, and satellite TV came along, things started to get complicated. Getting them all to work is a complete mess.

At the root of the mess is that TVs have become more like a monitor without a tuner. Almost everything plugs in using HDMI jacks, and comes with it's own remote control.
... [More]

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Canned Meatballs

Tuesday, July 7, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Chef Boyardee Spaghetti and Meatballs are a guilty pleasure for me. Mainly because of the meatballs.

Like most Italians, I tend to be a bit snobbish about pasta, but somehow I find myself reaching for a can of pasta from time to time. Clearly when given a choice between canned pasta or a traditional pasta, traditional will win every time. That's a given. However, when you're looking for a quick bite, you can't beat a good can of pasta.

In general, canned pasta comes in two basic varieties... WITH meat, or WITHOUT meat. The logic is simple, some people don't want the meat. But what about the people who want meatballs, but don't want the pasta?

So, why not have a can of just meatballs?

Some people will use the meatballs and sauce as a side-dish to something else, whi... [More]

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A Location Sensitive CB Radio App

Sunday, July 5, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Breaker 1-9. This is the Prestidigitator sliding eastbound on the Belt Parkway looking for anyone with a peek over the cheek. Over.

In the 70s and 80s, CB Radios were very popular among truck drivers and people who simply enjoy talking to other people when they drive. For some people their CB Radio was nothing more than a lifeline in the event of an emergency, but for others it was a way of life.

I have fond memories of that time because CB Radios created a real community among people who used them. People who were complete strangers would start conversations, share jokes, or give directions and traffic reports to anyone who asked. Most people never shared their real names, so everyone had their own "Handle". My friend Frank was The Prestidigitator, because he's a prof... [More]

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Laser Pointer Drone For Cats

Friday, July 3, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Cats love laser pointers.

About 20 years ago, laser pointers were expensive tools used by savvy professors or other public speakers. Because they were so expensive, just the fact that the presenter used one in immediately gave the speaker a boost in credibility.

Eventually prices came down, but by then people stopped using them in presentations, so the demand dropped... until people eventually found a new use for them, entertaining cats. Cats simply can't resist the hypnotic spell of little red dot. They will chase the little bugger around until they are completely tired out. The trouble is, as the cat tires out, so does my arm from waving it around.

Now that drones are becoming so popular, I think a drone with a laser pointer would be a big hit for cat owners. Since m... [More]

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Miniature Golf Tables

Saturday, June 20, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Whoever invented Mini-Golf is a genius.

The great thing about Mini-Golf is that it scales down everything about the game, from the size of the field, the time it takes to play, and even the cost.

If they could shrink the game that much, why stop there? Why not make a Mini-Mini Golf game that's small enough to fit in your living room. About the size of a pool table.

Here's how you can not only use one table for 18 holes, but create an unlimited number of holes, traps and other obstacles that can be re-configured on-the-fly.

MIT calls this technology "Tangible Media", which basically is a series of re-positionable surfaces that can be moved up and down like pixels on a screen.

It's like a compute... [More]

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TV Remote Controls Suck

Friday, June 19, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Why are TV remotes so bad?

Technology today moves at an incredible pace, but somehow TV remotes are just as bad as they were over 30 years ago. In fact, I'd say they are worse.

Where do I start?

1. Most of them still use Infra-Red, which means they only work when you point them directly at the TV or cable box. Depending on where the sensor is, you often have to hold it in awkward positions. A modern remote should use BlueTooth or WiFi.

2. There are WAY too many buttons. I don't know about you, but that means I hit the wrong one way too often. Take a lesson from Apple. With an iPod, you can pick a song from a list of thousands with just a dial or wheel, so why not consider an alternate to all those buttons.

3. Up and down buttons for channels was pretty cool, whe... [More]

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A Rolling Lightning Rod.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Ben Franklin saved countless lives when he invented the Lightning Rod.

Before Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod, very few people understood what lightning was. He not only realized it was a form of electricity, but he understood that lightning was a form of energy that could be controlled by redirecting it to the ground.

The most innovative part of his idea was that his Lightning Rods gave the electricity a direct path to the ground, rather than shooting through the buildings they protected. As long as the rod provided a better path to the ground than the structure itself, the building would be safe from the effects of the blast.

While running through a thunderstorm today, I wondered why there still isn't a device that uses Ben Franklin's ideas to protect p

... [More]

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Heated Butter Sprayer

Monday, June 15, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Admit it. If you had a heated butter sprayer, you'd put butter on everything.

Butter may be "Buttery Soft", but just think of how great it would be if you could just spray it on everything you eat.

I feel a bit like Forrest Gump's friend Bubba, because I could probably list thousands of ways I'd like to use butter that soft. I'd spray some on my steak just be fore eating it. I'd spray waffles, pancakes, toast, grilled cheese sandwiches, and just about every veggie, especially corn, to name a few.

Years ago, a bunch of margarine companies came out with squeezable and eventually sprayable versions, but they weren't just unhealthful, they didn't taste anywhere as good as the real thing.

I think this idea is quite doable. Ideally it would be great if somebody made a spr... [More]

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Cook Time Option For Stoves

Thursday, June 11, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Did I leave the gas on?

One of the great things about today's ovens is the ability to literally "Set it, and forget it". Unlike older models where the only timer control was an alarm that rang when it reached the preset time, newer models can even turn off the gas when the timer ends. This simple feature is a great safeguard against overcooking. With a microwave, you can't even start cooking unless you set the cooking time.

So, why not have a similar option for the stove?

Most of the time, you won't need a feature like this, because you tend to stand in front of the stove, but it would come in handy when you simmer a soup or a sauce for an hour or more. If you can't hear the timer, you can ruin the whole meal.

Besides saving the meal, it could also save some lives wh... [More]

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Ceiling Fixtures Should Always Have Quick Connectors

Saturday, June 6, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Splicing wires while holding a heavy ceiling fixture is a pain in the neck.

It's always bothered me that whenever I need to mount a fixture, I've got to hold the fixture in one hand, while I try to splice and cap the wires with the other.

Every time I've needed to do it, I open the box hoping to find some kind of quick connector inside, so I don't have to figure out how to splice the wires with one hand. The problem is bad enough for a small ceiling light, but it's even worse for mounting larger ones, or even ceiling fans. Unless you've got somebody else around to hold up the fixture, it's nearly impossible to splice the wires.

Wouldn't it be easier if you simply mounted a quick connector on both sides, then just plugged it in?

I realize the reason they don't us... [More]

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SmartPhones as Hearing Aids?

Friday, June 5, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

In the 70's, hearing aids looked a lot like iPods with earbuds.

Back then, it was difficult to cram all the electronics and the batteries into a unit small enough to fit into your ear, so there was a wire coming from the earbud leading to a little metal box about the size of an iPod that people kept in their pockets. Tim Conway wore one in the Mama's Place sketches on the Carol Burnet show.

There's no question that hearing aids today are completely different. They not only amplify sound, but they let you fine tune the sound to enhance the specific frequencies that the listener may have trouble hearing. This involves extensive testing and adjustments, which dramatically improve the sounds for the listener.

While I'm not suggesting a typical SmartPhon... [More]

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Quick Swap Cell Phones - Swap Cell Phones Without Changing SIMs.

Sunday, May 31, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Sometimes you need a big phone. Sometimes you don't.

My primary phone is the latest generation iPhone 6 Plus. To me, it's about as good as it gets, but sometimes the size simply gets in the way.

For those days when a big phone is a problem, wouldn't it be great to just swap phones for the day, by moving your phone number to a second phone? Then you could switch back when you get home.

Technically, most phones have removable SIM cards, that let you do exactly that. You just pop the SIM out of one phone, and pop it into another and as long as they are on the same network, the number will ring your second line instead.

The trouble is, on some phones, swapping the SIM isn't easy. On an iPhone, you need to insert a pin into a tiny hole on the side and a little slot pops... [More]

Continue...Quick Swap Cell Phones - Swap Cell Phones Without Changing SIMs....

Cameras With Face Recognition... Not Just Face Tracking.

Friday, May 22, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Face tracking is a wonderful thing. The only trouble is it often focuses on the wrong face.

Just about every camera made in the last 10 years has some form of face tracking as an option. While this clearly makes it much easier for the camera to decide where to focus, it's not the best option when your subject is surrounded by other people that don't need to be in focus. When your subject is just another face in the crowd, there is no way to insure your camera will know which face to track.

That's where Face Recognition could come in handy.

Now that newer cameras have touch screens and a lot more computing power, it would be possible to design a camera that recognizes faces, then lets you determine which face to focus on. Then whenever the subject moves into the shot, it... [More]

Continue...Cameras With Face Recognition... Not Just Face Tracking....

Meat Thermometers Without Numbers

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Quick... What temperature should a medium steak be?

Long before pop-up indicators were invented, knowing the perfect time to take out your Thanksgiving turkey was a bit of a guessing game for most people. Within a few years, just about every major turkey producer was including one in every turkey they sold, because although more advanced cooks had meat thermometers that were far more accurate, many people didn't understand how to use one.

By including that simple little pop-up indicator, it essentially made it foolproof for anyone to know exactly when their turkey was done, because they didn't require any thinking. They were simply designed to pop up at the optimal temperature.

Steaks and burgers also have ideal temperatures, so why not make meat thermometers that are jus... [More]

Continue...Meat Thermometers Without Numbers...

Preventing Running Shoe Blisters with a "Heel" Lock or "Lace Lock" (Video)

Saturday, May 16, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

I thought I knew pretty much everything about tying my shoes.

It just goes to show you, you can learn something new each day, even something as simple as a better way to tie your shoes. What's strange about it, is most people have an extra set of holes on their running shoes, but they have no idea what they're for. Neither did I, until I saw this video from Illumiseen on YiouTube.

Believe it or not, as of today, this simple video has been watched over 28 MILLION times. That's simply amazing considering it's just two minutes of footage of a guy showing you how to tie your shoes.

What's odd to me is that while most shoes have these extra holes... essentially to tie them like this, I've never seen anyone who actually used them. It makes you wonder why nobody ever took th... [More]

Continue...Preventing Running Shoe Blisters with a "Heel" Lock or "Lace Lock" (Video)...

An Anonymous Website to Report Bad Drivers

Friday, May 15, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

As Mike Brady used to say... "Nobody likes a Tattle Tale", but the truth is, everybody hates bad drivers.

Let's face it, whenever somebody cuts us off, rides the shoulder, zooms past stop signs or red lights, we all wish there was a cop around to give them a ticket. It's human nature.

Wouldn't it be great of there was a site where we can anonymously post photos of jerks doing something stupid behind the wheel? With cell phones and full time dashboard cameras, it's pretty easy to catch people in the act, and have photos and videos to prove it.

I'm generally a passive guy, so I tend to let people get away with all sorts of things, but the fact is, a lot of these drivers are downright dangerous. While a site like this may not put an end to bad driving, maybe it will make at... [More]

Continue...An Anonymous Website to Report Bad Drivers...

Digital Baseball Cards Based on BitCoins

Monday, April 6, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

How to bring the collectables industry into the 21st century...

For more than 100 years, people have been collecting baseball cards. For some, it's more than a hobby, it's a serious investment in the possibility that some of them will eventually increase in value.

Because of this, collectable card companies invest a lot of time and effort into insuring that collectors continue to buy new cards, by limiting the quantity of cards they print. While it would be quite easy for a card company to simply run millions of copies of the most desired cards, that would upset the collectors who base their entire purchase decision on the fact that there are limited numbers of each card.

As such, the prospect of a digital card would simply be out of the question... or is it?

There i

... [More]

Continue...Digital Baseball Cards Based on BitCoins...

Sleeveless Snuggies!

Wednesday, April 1, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Snuggies are nice, but your hands get cold.

The key to a great invention is finding simple solutions that people overlook. That's how I came up with this idea.

While traveling among the Gunga tribes on the remote island of Galunga, I noticed that they often took turns passing around an odd looking ball filled with warmed up monkey urine. As each one rolled the the strange "MonkeyPeePeeBalls" back and forth before passing it along, I wondered if this was some kind of religious ritual.

As it turns out, the Gunga Galungans were passing the warmed up monkey urine balls simply to warm their hands, which were sticking out from their Snuggies. I knew right then and there that I had to find some way to make sure they could have warm hands without warming up money urine.

... [More]

Continue...Sleeveless Snuggies!...

A Desktop Computer That Can Survive A Blackout

Sunday, March 15, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Isn't it strange that desktop computers lose information in a blackout?

For as long as desktop computers have been around, one thing has never changed, if you lose power, even for a split second, you usually lose whatever you were working on.

Unlike laptop computers, which have a battery that lasts for hours, a desktop computer has no internal battery whatsoever, not even enough to handle the loss of power for even a fraction of a second.

My solution to this problem is to integrate two additional components directly on the motherboard, a small battery and a bit of flash memory. The battery would be very small, because it doesn't need to power anything but the motherboard itself. That's it. Both parts are small and inexpensive Here's how it would work.

If the motherboa... [More]

Continue...A Desktop Computer That Can Survive A Blackout...

IPS - Indoor Positioning Systems

Thursday, March 5, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

GPS can help you find anywhere in the world... as long as it's outside.

Like most people, the first time I used a GPS, I simply couldn't believe my eyes. Seeing your exact position on the map change as you drive, and even have it give you directions is nothing short of magic.

So, if GPS can help you find the nearest mall, today's idea is about finding your way INSIDE the mall.

The science behind GPS is pretty slick. Your GPS picks up signals from multiple satellites. By comparing these signals it can determine how far you are from each one. Since it knows where those satellites are supposed to be at any given time, it can triangulate your position with amazing accuracy.

Since satellite signals can't be picked up indoors, you can't use them to find your way to St... [More]

Continue...IPS - Indoor Positioning Systems...

Multiple Independent Keyboard / Mouse Pairs. Collaborate In Real-Time On The Same Computer.

Friday, February 20, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Wouldn't it be great if two or more people could use the same computer... at the same time?

In spite of their massive computing power, Macs and Windows PCs both have one odd limitation. They were designed from the ground up for one person to use at a time.

If Windows and Mac OS X had support for multiple keyboard and mouse pairs, each pair of keyboards and mice would be able to independently launch applications giving them the ability to truly collaborate together in ways that have never been imagined before... On the same computer... even the same monitor... at the same time.

If the computer has multiple monitors, each user would simply sit at their own desk and have their own desktop, however since they would be using the same computer any interaction and file sharing... [More]

Continue...Multiple Independent Keyboard / Mouse Pairs. Collaborate In Real-Time On The Same Computer....

A REAL Snow Broom... Thicker. Stronger. Better.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Every time I sweep snow with a regular broom, I wonder why there isn't one designed specifically for snow.

Once again, it snowed in New York, and this time there was a lot of dusty snow that the shovel didn't pick up, so I reach for the broom. After a few minutes, the broom becomes worthless. It's gummed up with so much snow that the head is now twice it's original size. So I stand there banging it on the curb over and over trying to at least get rid of some of the snow. Eventually, I simply reach for another broom and start the process all over again.

What bothers me most is that my broom was pretty new, and now it's taking a real beating, and to make matters worse, after it swelled up like that, it seemed like it was spreading more snow than it was moving. That's becaus... [More]

Continue...A REAL Snow Broom... Thicker. Stronger. Better....

Face Recognition History Eraser

Sunday, February 1, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Many programs today use face recognition to help you locate photos of people you love. Why not have a program that hides photos of people you hate?

As funny as this idea sounds, there are many people today who have enormous photo libraries full of people they hate, and they are sick to their stomach when they browse through their photos. For these people, a simple face recognition based filter would allow them to flip through their photos without skipping a beat.

A filter like this would also come in handy for people who recently re-married or have young children who are too young to understand photos of their parents with their previous spouses. Whatever the reason, a filter could be pretty handy.

An alternative to hiding group photos could be to show the photo, but obs... [More]

Continue...Face Recognition History Eraser...

Slanted Snow Plows, With Wheels (and Heated Handles)

Monday, January 26, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Why don't you ever see shovels with wheels?

I hate shoveling snow. I really hate it. In fact, I'd like to officially say it right now, as the east coast prepares for a monster snow storm, that I can't stand shoveling snow. So, if anyone asks if I actually enjoy shoveling snow, just say no.

Am I the only one who feels this way? I don't think so. I think if you took a poll right about now asking 100 people if they like shoveling snow, you might actually get more than 100 no votes, because some will hate it so much, they'll vote twice.

You would think that if so many people hate shoveling snow, you would find some a ton of products in stores that make shoveling snow a little better... even a little?

Almost every single snow shovel on the market is barely better than

... [More]

Continue...Slanted Snow Plows, With Wheels (and Heated Handles)...

A Computer With NO CPU. Just Add As Many As You Need Later.

Sunday, January 25, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Even though the CPU is the heart of every computer today, I think there's another way. A computer with NO CPU. Modular. Scalable. Better.

In the early days of computing, it was common for computers to have the ability to upgrade them as new technology came along.

Over the years, the concept of upgrading a computer faded away. I think with today's technology, we can not only build computers that are upgradable, but completely modular, making it unnecessary to upgrade an entire computer.

In fact, by leaving the CPU out of the computer itself, it opens up an entirely new design which can allow you to add as many CPUs you want down the road. Here's how it would work.

To understand my idea, think of your existing computer. It has a screen, video card, memory, hard d... [More]

Continue...A Computer With NO CPU. Just Add As Many As You Need Later....

Battery Terminals with Jumper Cable Connectors

Sunday, January 18, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Am I the only one that noticed that jumper cables are a pain in the neck because they don't fit the terminals?

I've got a set of the top-of-the-line Sears Jumper Cables. Yes, they were expensive, because they are the best ones they make. The cables are heavy duty gauge and extra long, and of course, they have the best clips. You know what? They still suck when it comes to getting them to clamp onto the battery terminal. What good are they if you can't make a good connection?

To me, this is one of those Emperor's New Clothing things. I bet everyone has trouble getting those suckers to clamp on the battery terminals, but nobody seems to talk about it or do something to improve it. Essentially what we need is a dedicated place on the battery to clamp the jumper cables.

T... [More]

Continue...Battery Terminals with Jumper Cable Connectors...

A Bedside Book Projector - Read Books on the Ceiling!

Tuesday, January 6, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

If you read in bed, you either have to sit up, or try to hold the book above your face. Wouldn't it be more comfortable if you could just read it on the ceiling?

One of the best ways to get a good night's sleep is to read a book before you go to bed, but what if you want to read while you're laying down. It's not comfortable, and that takes away from the experience. An easy solution would be a book reader that projects your books right on the ceiling.

As a device paired with a tablet, you would just launch your book reader, pick a book and select a font size that's comfortable, then start reading. To turn the page, the App could wait for you to snap your fingers, clap your hands or even use your voice to say "turn page". A more advanced version could use a simple wireless... [More]

Continue...A Bedside Book Projector - Read Books on the Ceiling!...

A WiFi Mail Indicator

Saturday, December 27, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Expecting something in the mail... but hate checking the mailbox 10 times an hour?

You're sitting at home again waiting for a check... or maybe it's a package, or perhaps you simply love to dive into all the junk mail that comes addressed to "Resident". Whatever the reason, you just can't wait for the mail to arrive.

But wait. Maybe it's already there. Maybe you didn't hear the truck drive by when you were in the bathroom. You'd better check, again. After all, it's been 15 minutes since you checked.

Does this sound familiar? If so, this is exactly the idea for you. A WiFi Mail Indicator.

Here's how it would work.

After configuring the WiFi settings with your computer, a small antenna would mount under your mailbox (if it's made of metal), linked to a magnetic q... [More]

Continue...A WiFi Mail Indicator...

Multi-Circuit Alternate Phased LED Bulbs

Tuesday, December 23, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

This one is a bit technical, but stay with me. There's a reason.

Let me start by talking about how Edison's original light bulbs work. The concept is simple, a current is applied to a filament until it got so hot, that it glows. Once you turn off the current, the filament cools off, and the light goes off.

In the US, power cycles at 60 Hz, which means the power actually fluctuates on and off about 60 times per second.

With a fluctuation of just 1/60th of a second, the older incandescent bulbs still remain pretty consistent, because it doesn't give the filament time enough to cool off, but LEDs are more sensitive to those fluctuations so although the human eye may not notice it, an LED bulb is actually flickering light and dark 60 times a second.

If the human eye doe

... [More]

Continue...Multi-Circuit Alternate Phased LED Bulbs...

Nut Bowls... With a Place For Shells

Saturday, December 20, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

I like to eat nuts that are in their shells, but I hate looking for a place to put the shells.

It doesn't matter if I'm sitting at home, at my desk or in my car. There never seems to be a place to put the shells. Think about it. if you have a party, and you put out a tray of pistachios, walnuts, or whole peanuts, what are you and your guests going to do with all those shells.

Go into a housewares store and look at all the different types of dishes and bowls. What you don't see is a little bowl with two side by side sections specifically for people to serve nuts and discard the shells. I think that the time has come for such a product to become a reality. I'll say this much, if such a bowl existed, I'd buy one and once again that means there are others like me who would do... [More]

Continue...Nut Bowls... With a Place For Shells...

A USB Encryptor Hub - Hardware Encryption for Any USB Storage Device

Sunday, December 14, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

There are literally thousands of USB Storage devices on the market. Only a few have hardware encryption.

For many people who handle private information, encryption isn't just a luxury, it's a requirement. The trouble is, there are so few USB devices on the market that have hardware encryption.

The handful of devices that do support hardware encryption are generally relatively small Flash drives that have a 4 digit number pad on top that don't have much capacity. If they want larger capacity, the only option is software encryption, which often involves installing software on every computer they use.

Today's idea is a USB hub with a number pad on top, where you can plug in any off-the-shelf USB storage device. Once you plug in a device that requires encryption, you enter t... [More]

Continue...A USB Encryptor Hub - Hardware Encryption for Any USB Storage Device...

Google Radar - One Page With All the Stuff You Are Always Looking For.

Friday, December 5, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

What's on YOUR Radar?

Everyone has hobbies and interests that we are always looking for. Whether we are online or walking through a flea market, there are simply things that we can say are are always on our "Radar".

Whenever we're online, we love reading about some subjects more than others, so when we have some free time, we find ourselves turning to Google to find the latest news about the our favorite subjects.

That's where Google Radar comes in. Think of Google Radar as a constantly updated page with a mixture of all our favorite subjects, just the things on our Radar. So, you wouldn't even need to search; whenever you visit your Google Radar page, you'll find all the latest and greatest pages just waiting for you.

Among other things, my Google Radar Page would be... [More]

Continue...Google Radar - One Page With All the Stuff You Are Always Looking For....

A Car Periscope? Why Not?

Monday, November 10, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Sometimes when I come up with an idea, I find out somebody's thought about it before. Today, I found two. It must be a really great idea.

A lot of cars today have cameras in the back, so you can see the car behind you when you park. Every time I've used one, I have often wished I could see all around the car... 360 degrees... like a Car Periscope!

From the start, I thought about how great it would be to not only see behind me, but on the sides, and eliminate blind spots... that would also make it easier to know exactly how far I was from the CURB.

Wouldn't you know it, I do a quick search of Car Periscope Curb, and there it was... a Car Periscope on CURB Your Enthusiasm. I guess Larry David had this on his mind for long time, because he also included it in a Seinfeld e... [More]

Continue...A Car Periscope? Why Not?...

A Magnetic Toilet Flapper

Monday, November 3, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Kryptonyte is Superman's weakness. Mine is leaking toilets.

I hate waste, especially when it comes with a price.

Back in the days when water was relatively cheap, a leaking toilet was just an annoyance. Today, a leaking toilet is literally throwing a lot of money down the drain.

It's bad enough my typical water bill is about $100 per month... Paying nearly twice that because of a leaking toilet drove me to think of ways to insure that never happens again. That's how I cam up with the idea for a magnetic toilet flapper.

The idea is pretty simple. A small magnetic ring is placed around the flapper hole at the bottom of the tank, and a metallic ring is embedded inside or above the flapper. When the handle is turned, a kink-free chain or bungee cord pulls the flapper ou... [More]

Continue...A Magnetic Toilet Flapper...

An Pet Collar That Lights Up When a Smoke Alarm Goes Off.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

40,000 Pets are killed in house fires each year

One of the causes of these deaths is that pets are hard to find.

As I've already posted on the October 16, 2014 Idea Of The Day:
3 Ways Smoke Alarms Can Be More Pet Friendly the problem with pets is fear. Fire Lieutenant John Rogers was quoted on PetSafetyAlert.Com: saying "When animals are stressed, they hide from us, big-time. Because they are small, smoke affects them worse and quicker than it does a human."

My idea for today centers around combining two existing ideas, an LED collar, and a an audio trigger that turns on the LED when a smoke alarm goe... [More]

Continue...An Pet Collar That Lights Up When a Smoke Alarm Goes Off....

How Camera Makers Can Simplify On-Camera White Balance

Friday, October 10, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Today's digital cameras are amazing, but sometimes the colors are way off.

I hate when I shoot 100 pictures, then come home to discover that everything looks like it's yellow, or blue... or simply a bit off. The key to getting the colors just right is mastering "White Balance".

What is White Balance?

White balance is a feature most digital cameras have to compensate for the various color "temperatures" of light, so the final photo will be more realistic.

There are many types of light, and each light has it's own distinct color "temperature". For example, old fashioned tungsten lights have a tendency to be yellow, while florescent lights tend to be blue. Unlike the human brain, which can compensate for these changes, digital cameras record colors in more absolute t... [More]

Continue...How Camera Makers Can Simplify On-Camera White Balance...

WiFi Toilets? - The Internet Of Things. It's TRULY, the next BIG thing.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

The Internet Of Things is Coming... are you ready?

Another big revolution in technology is just taking shape. To say this is the next BIG thing is an understatement. Today's technology is just building blocks for things to come. It's that BIG.

What is the "Internet of Things"?

Take a dozen ordinary objects in your room, then imagine what they would be like if they were somehow connected to the Internet. That's the Internet of Things.

Why the heck should all my stuff be on the Interwebs?

Good question. My answer... WHY NOT?

The longer answer... because it takes good things, and makes them great.

Here's a quick history. Some of you may be familiar with the way devices currently connect to the Internet, using an "IP Address". When... [More]

Continue...WiFi Toilets? - The Internet Of Things. It's TRULY, the next BIG thing....

Digital String on Your Finger... To Remind You You Left Something Behind...

Thursday, September 25, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Some of you may be familiar with a bunch of new products, such as "The Tile", which are tiny Bluetooth devices that you can hang on your keychain or attach to things you think you might lose. Once you realize you lost something, they use Bluetooth to help you locate them.

I actually bought 12 Tiles, thinking I'll never lose anything important again... then the other day, I forgot something at a client's office 40 miles away, but I didn't realize it until I got home. The Tile didn't help. I knew where it was, but the next day, I had to drive 80 miles round trip to pick it up.

Wouldn't it be great if devices like The Tile could warn you BEFORE you leave something behind?

To me, stopping me from leaving things behind is an even more important... [More]

Continue...Digital String on Your Finger... To Remind You You Left Something Behind......

Simple Product Idea... Guest slippers, that snap OVER their shoes

Thursday, September 18, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Expecting a delivery? Handyman? Hose guests?...

Can you take off your shoes?

Here's a simple idea that you don't see around. Instead of asking your guests to take OFF their shoes, why not ask them to put a slipper OVER their shoes?

Think about it. What you really want is a clean floor. Right?

Why not have a simple system guests can use to quickly snap something over their shoes.

It's not rocket science.

As a bonus, guests potentially with smelly, dirty socks with holes, or dirty bare feet with a bad case of Athlete's Foot will avoid the embarrassment of rubbing their stinkers all over your new carpet.

Cat Video Network

Ketchonnaise - Pre-Mixed Ketchup and Mayonnaise

A Guaranteed Spam-Free, Pre-Encrypted Email Service

iPhone and iPad Keyboards Should Show Numbers Too

Sleeveless Snuggies!

Don't Bother With SEO. Use Real People Optimization Instead.

3 Ways Smoke Alarms Can Be More Pet Friendly

Emergency Contact Info Needs to Bypass Locked Phone

Autocorrect Should Translate Text Slang into English... Because Kids Actually Think It's Correct Grammar

Lookalike Finder Site

Out of Ideas? Fusion of Two or More Ideas Could Change Everything.

How Camera Makers Can Simplify On-Camera White Balance

Darth Vader is Retuning to Star Wars?

A Bedside Book Projector - Read Books on the Ceiling!

Reinvent The Wheel? YES. There's Always Room For Improvement.

Amazon Echo as an Intercom. Room to Room Communication, Even Across the World.

TV Needs More Shows Like Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood... The Seinfeld of Children's TV

Stop using default Security Questions... here's why.

A Car Periscope? Why Not?

Digital String on Your Finger... To Remind You You Left Something Behind...

Use Social Media to Listen To Your Customers, or They'll find Somebody Who Does.

Why Doesn't Apple Offer a FULL SIZED Wireless Keyboard?

How Banks Can Make Checking Accounts More Secure

4 Cell Phone Parental Control Ideas Your Kids are Guaranteed to Hate.

.Podcast Domain TLDs. A Direct Domain For Podcasters.

* Note: The ideas on "Idea of the Day" were posted without any formal research into existing inventions.

In some cases, patents may already exist for these ideas, in other cases, there may not be any existing patents and you are free to develop and explore the viability of developing and patenting the ideas.

The authors make no claim that any of the ideas are safe, practical, or suitable for any particular purpose. You are responsible for the results of trying, developing, patenting or using any of the ideas on this site.

For some people, our ideas are just an interesting read, but our goal is to encourage you to take action. If you see an idea that you like, do something with it... Take action.

- Joe

Idea Of The Day. A new Idea Each Day. Some Don't Suck.

Our Latest Posts About: Inventions

Wouldn't it be great if you could read books in bed... hands free?

Here's my idea bringing the joy of Mini-Golf into your own home.

Filling under sink soap dispensers is a real pain in the ass.

Why are we still using antiquated toilets?

Wouldn't it be great if you could plug multiple monitors into one device with only one cable?

Can't get your team on the same page? Why not start by sharing a monitor?

Everyone hates traffic.

Now THAT's Cool!

The most tedious thing about personal fans is raising your arms high for extended periods, so why not mount it on the end of a stick?

Don't you hate guessing how long you have to wait?

A Fortune Cookie with a COUPON Inside!

Instead of printing useless stuff on the back... why not include a coupon you can use on your ne

Plungers don't work as well as they should, because they don't make a good seal.

The simple solution is for toilet manufacturers to include a plunger that fits the exact shape of each model and include it in the box when you buy it.

Don't you hate guessing the speed?

It drives me nuts. More often than not, turning the fan off involves pulling the chain, then waiting to see if it's actually off, or running at the lowest speed.

It's not easy finding a quiet place to make a phone call these days.

Phone booths not only give the caller a quiet place to make a call, they also help other people from listening in.

Why limit texting to mobile phones?

People often make the mistake of trying to send a text to a landline.

Gun safety for the 21st century!

Who needs wallpaper?

Although I've never actually seen such a device, it would be fairly easy to construct one using the same basic principals as an off-the-shelf inkjet printer.

Computers with multiple monitors are pretty common, but you never see TVs linked together in a living room.

Calculations in a snap!

It works so well, it made me wonder if there was a way to take it to another level. Why not let you hand write the numbers or the equation, and simply take a photo?

No tape? No problem.

One cool thing about a Box Zipper is that it doesn't necessarily have to be a straight path down a seam. You could create a round opening or any shape for that matter.

All day recording. One hour playback.

The main idea isn't to speed it up, it's simply to remove the large silent gaps between sentences and words.

A sound system that automatically adjusts based on where you sit in the room.

Wouldn't it be easier if your Speaker System used a portable sound sensor that

Before you spend money on an expensive Stud Finder... try this.

If Tesla Makes the best batteries in the word, and the best electric motors in the world, why not build the best lawnmower in the world?

NFC has revolutionized the payment industry. Why limit it to purchases in stores?

I hate looking for my receipts!

Wouldn't it be great if you could access ALL of your receipts from every store you visit, without scanning?

If vacuum packages can keep food fresh for months, why don't refrigerators have vacuum compartments?

Why have TVs become so complicated?

Chef Boyardee Spaghetti and Meatballs are a guilty pleasure for me. Mainly because of the meatballs.

Breaker 1-9. This is the Prestidigitator sliding eastbound on the Belt Parkway looking for anyone with a peek over the cheek. Over.

Cats love laser pointers.

Whoever invented Mini-Golf is a genius.

Here's how you can not only use one table for 18 holes, but create an unlimited number of holes, traps and other obstacles that can be re-configured on-the-fly.

Why are TV remotes so bad?

Ben Franklin saved countless lives when he invented the Lightning Rod.

While running through a thunderstorm today, I wondered why there still isn't a device that uses Ben Franklin's ideas to protect p

Admit it. If you had a heated butter sprayer, you'd put butter on everything.

Did I leave the gas on?

Splicing wires while holding a heavy ceiling fixture is a pain in the neck.

Wouldn't it be easier if you simply mounted a quick connector on both sides, then just plugged it in?

In the 70's, hearing aids looked a lot like iPods with earbuds.

Sometimes you need a big phone. Sometimes you don't.

Face tracking is a wonderful thing. The only trouble is it often focuses on the wrong face.

Quick... What temperature should a medium steak be?

I thought I knew pretty much everything about tying my shoes.

As Mike Brady used to say... "Nobody likes a Tattle Tale", but the truth is, everybody hates bad drivers.

How to bring the collectables industry into the 21st century...

There i

Snuggies are nice, but your hands get cold.

As it turns out, the Gunga Galungans were passing the warmed up monkey urine balls simply to warm their hands, which were sticking out from their Snuggies. I knew right then and there that I had to find some way to make sure they could have warm hands without warming up money urine.

Isn't it strange that desktop computers lose information in a blackout?

GPS can help you find anywhere in the world... as long as it's outside.

So, if GPS can help you find the nearest mall, today's idea is about finding your way INSIDE the mall.

Wouldn't it be great if two or more people could use the same computer... at the same time?

Every time I sweep snow with a regular broom, I wonder why there isn't one designed specifically for snow.

Many programs today use face recognition to help you locate photos of people you love. Why not have a program that hides photos of people you hate?

Why don't you ever see shovels with wheels?

Almost every single snow shovel on the market is barely better than

Even though the CPU is the heart of every computer today, I think there's another way. A computer with NO CPU. Modular. Scalable. Better.

In fact, by leaving the CPU out of the computer itself, it opens up an entirely new design which can allow you to add as many CPUs you want down the road. Here's how it would work.

Am I the only one that noticed that jumper cables are a pain in the neck because they don't fit the terminals?

If you read in bed, you either have to sit up, or try to hold the book above your face. Wouldn't it be more comfortable if you could just read it on the ceiling?

Expecting something in the mail... but hate checking the mailbox 10 times an hour?

This one is a bit technical, but stay with me. There's a reason.

If the human eye doe

I like to eat nuts that are in their shells, but I hate looking for a place to put the shells.

There are literally thousands of USB Storage devices on the market. Only a few have hardware encryption.