Aardvark

[Bruce Simpson]

This column is archived at: http://aardvark.co.nz/daily/2010/0309.shtml

Is there a gadget or piece of technology that you'd like to see them make?

Have you ever wondered "why can't I buy a thing that does...?"

Is the single biggest problem facing inventors and "ideas people" today that of finding problems which haven't already been solved?

Have you got one of those key-finders? Have you ever wished you did?

What's the coolest gadget you've come across recently?

[RJ]

I suffered the same thing for years then found a very clever and simple device that allows me to find my keys every morning without fail.

It just requires me to dock my keys with the device once when I come home each day, and the best thing is that It never goes flat and has no moving parts to break down.

Click here to view image.

[thrashcardiom]

I have another device that is just as useful. It's called a "Pocket". Perhaps others have heard of it and use one?

[barryl]

I have both hardware and software solutions to the lost key syndrome.

The hardware is called a "drawer" ---low maintenance, cheap, and has no batteries like the "hook' and "pocket" versions.

The software (well, wetware) is discipline, the portable phone has only two possible locations, in my hand, or in it's cradle.

Likewise, the car keys have only three possible locations, my pocket, the car or the "drawer"

My most desirable cool thing has now been invented, a decent cordless drill with enough torque to break your wrist, and enough battery life to drive in 100's of screws.

[Sophocles]

Woo hoo! I've got an electronic key finder. Two, actually. After spending half a day trying to find some keys (which were hiding in full view) my partner gave me these: one to find the keys, the other to find the keys keyfinder

The alarm part is attached to the key ring, the finder (the bit you always lose!) you put where you can find it again. Press the button on the finder and your keys bleep.

This assumes everything is in the same house

Only trouble is the batteries keep going flat....

[edwin]

[Sophocles]

[bburn]

Reading these comments makes me wonder if what we need is a little less 'high' technology and more 'low' technology. Pockets, drawers, hooks are all low technology; electronic finders are high technology.

For example, how many times do you have to rat around looking for a working ball-point pen? So, tie a piece of string around the pen and fix the other end of the string to something permanent (like the power cord to your cordless phone base station).

That'd work until someone wriggles the pen off the string...

[Bruce Simpson]

Like many of you (apparently) I have a "system" for my keys.

They live in my trouser pockets so I always know where they are.

Except... for the very occasional situation when my normal daily routine is upset by something.

If I go to my trousers and find my keys aren't there then my anxiety levels rise and I have to rush around looking for them.

The same goes with my wallet. I am *so* used to having it in my trouser pockets that whenever I sense that it's not there I immediately stop and think "where?".

However, there are plenty of people who don't have any kind of system at all and just dump their keys wherever they feel like -- then spend an hour the following morning, trying to find them.

[joeseph]

If one of you clever folks could use their finder devices to find my toddlers' shoes (lost since sunday) I'd be very grateful.