Here is another gadget review of mine from the past. Actually it was written on 19^th June 2007

Brando USB Roll-up Drum Kit

Pros: Great fun, small and discrete. Won’t annoy the neighbours.

Cons: None

Good day everyone. For my next review, I thought I would review another item that caught my attention from Brando Shopping – a USB Roll-Up Drum Kit.

The USB Roll-up Drum Kit came in a well package box to protect the contents, which included the drum kit, 2 plastic sticks, instructions and cd software.

I first installed the software onto my pc, and then plugged the drum kit into the usb port and voila. In case you are wondering, the official specifications are:-

• Rolls up to a small size
• Easy storage
• Innovative interfaces allows all programming and sound to be activated on your computer screen
• 3-level learning feature
• Play along option
• Record/playback and program option
• Save and E-mail to friends
• Tone: 6 Levels and Default of (-3 to +3)
• Tempo 40-208 Bpm
• Five playing pads (for Sanre, kick, plus 2 toms)
• 50 Percussion Sounds
• 20 Preprogrammed percussion sets
• 100 Preprogrammed beats
• Plugs into your USB for power
• No batteries required
• Compatible with Windows XP/2000
• A pair of drum stick
• CD with software
• User guide

As you can see from the photo below, it is not too big. There are many options and special effects. You do not have to use the external drum kit, you can operate it via your pc using the mouse on the drum controls on the software. However, I personally found using my hands on the external drum kit the most fun.

The pc controls are very simple. My laptop has seen better days, hence the vertical lines on the screen. Refer to picture below:-

Obviously, this drum kit is not as good as the real thing, but it certainly takes away a lot of frustration, and is very fun to use and has a number of options, more than I anticipated. Recommended. Any comments or questions please ask. Gavin.

Below is a review I wrote in November 2004. This gadget caused a storm wherever I used it. It was a cool piece of kit, and was available 8 years ago!

The Virtual Keyboard

Now before anyone asks, is this fantasy or fiction I will state this is fiction and following my use of the keyboard it is no gimmick.

In fact before I continue, I have been left stunned at how well its works. Not to mention the “wow” factor. All my colleagues, friends in the pub, new friends I have made showing the Virtual Keyboard cannot believe what they are seeing. However, they are equally amused by the fact it actually works.

So what do you get in the box.

 

The Virtual Keyboard, comes with a lovely small case for it, some instructions, the installation CD, and a whole host of adapters which connect to Palm, Pocket PC, Smartphones and even a PC (serial).

The Virtual Keyboard uses the latest infrared and laser technology to project a full size qwerty keyboard onto any flat surface.

The current version is compatible with:

O2 XDA I and II – O/S Pocket PC2002/3
Orange SPV e200 – O/S Smartphone 2003
Palm Tungsten T3 – O/S Palm OS 5.x
Palm M505 – O/S Palm OS 4.x
HP2210 – O/S Pocket PC2003
HP5550 – O/S Pocket PC2003
Laptops/Desktops – O/S WinXP, 2000, NT & 98

The actual device is quite compact. In fact it was a lot smaller than I had anticipated.

Loading the installation CD revealed all the different operating systems. I chose Palm OS5 and installed the driver.

Plug the charging into the wall and give the unit a 2 hours charge. This should last for 2 hours continuous typing. So in reality you should get a whole days worth of typing if you do a bit here and there.

Next it is important to configure the driver to your own typing style and the various options as shown below.

Also when connected the driver provides a useful meter for the battery level.

In addition there are a range of keyboard shortcuts which make life a little easier. So what does it look like in use.

The size of projection is reasonable and easy to use.

It is worth noting that the Virtual Keyboard cannot be used in direct sunlight and must be used on a flat surface. Also, the keyboard driver settings appear to be lost following a soft reset.

Definitely recommended and a very cool piece of kit.

So would you have been tempted?